The parents of an unmarried minor child are the joint natural guardians of the person of such child with equal legal powers and legal rights with regard to such child, provided that the parents are living together, are respectively competent to transact their own business, and are not otherwise unsuitable. Upon the death of either parent, the survivor shall be the natural guardian of the person of such child. If either parent has abandoned the family, the other parent shall be the natural guardian of the person of such child.
Va. Code Ann. § 64.2-1700
Natural guardians
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case 898 F. Supp. 2d 153 - United States v. Homaune (2012)
Most recently applied in 898 F. Supp. 2d 153 - United States v. Homaune (October 2012)
Code 1919, § 5320; 1930, p. 687; Code 1950, § 31-1; 1999, c. 16; 2012, c. 614.
Official source: Virginia Law Portal (LIS). Reproduced from public-domain Virginia statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.