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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79903</law_id><section_number>16.1-353</section_number><catch_line>Further proceedings to determine permanent guardianship, custody</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="17">Standby Guardianship</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> If the triggering event was death of the qualified parent, within 90 days following the occurrence of the triggering event or, if later, commencement of the standby guardian&#x2019;s authority, the standby guardian shall (i) <span class="dictionary">petition</span> for appointment of a guardian for the child as otherwise provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span> or (ii) initiate other proceedings to determine <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of the child pursuant to Chapter 6.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/20-124.1/">20-124.1</a> et seq.) of Title 20, or both. <a id="paragraph-286194" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-353/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> In all other cases a standby guardian shall promptly after occurrence of the triggering event initiate such proceedings to determine permanent <span class="dictionary">custody</span>, absent objection by the qualified parent.
			The <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall be accompanied by: <a id="paragraph-286195" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-353/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">court order</span> approving or written designation of a standby guardian; and <a id="paragraph-286196" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-353/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The attending physician&#x2019;s written determination of incompetence or debilitation; a verification of death; or <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of the parent&#x2019;s detention, incarceration, or deportation in connection with an immigration action. <a id="paragraph-286197" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-353/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, c. 829; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 241.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
