Exhibit 5 [LOGO OF GENWORTH FINANCIAL] Genworth Life & Annuity 6610 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23230 March 21, 2007 Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company 6610 West Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23230 Re: Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company Genworth Life & Annuity MVA Separate Account Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Form S-1 Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933 SEC File No. 333-69786 Ladies and Gentlemen: I have served as Counsel to Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the "Company") and its Genworth Life & Annuity MVA Separate Account (the "Separate Account") in connection with the registration of Guaranteed Fixed Annuity Contracts (the "Contracts") being filed on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. I have examined Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Form S-1, including all related documents and exhibits, and have reviewed such questions of law as I considered necessary and appropriate. On the basis of such examination and review, it is my opinion that: 1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is duly authorized to sell and issue the Contracts; 2. The Separate Account has been properly created and is a validly existing separate account pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and 3. The issuance and sale of the Contracts, when issued and sold in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, will be legal and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Contract, except that clearance must be obtained, or the contract form must be approved, prior to the issuance thereof in certain jurisdictions. Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company March 21, 2007 Page 2 I express no opinion herein other than as to the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof and I assume no obligation to update or supplement this letter to reflect any circumstances which may hereafter come to my attention with respect to the opinion and statements set forth above, including any changes in law or fact (or the effect thereof on the opinions expressed herein) that hereafter may come to my attention. I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement filed on Form S-1 for the Contracts on behalf of the Company. Sincerely, /s/ Heather Harker - ------------------------------------ Heather Harker Vice President and Associate General Counsel