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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54037</law_id><section_number>16.1-332</section_number><catch_line>Orders of court; investigation, report and appointment of counsel</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="15">Emancipation of Minors</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>If deemed appropriate <span class="dictionary">the court</span> may (i) require the local <span class="dictionary">department</span> of social services or any other agency or person to investigate the <span class="dictionary">allegations</span> in the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> and file a report of that investigation with <span class="dictionary">the court</span>, (ii) appoint <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s parents or guardian, or (iii) make any other <span class="dictionary">orders</span> regarding the matter which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> deems appropriate. In any case pursuant to this article <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall appoint <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> to serve as <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>.</p></section></text><history>1986, c. 506; 2002, c. 747.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
