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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73432</law_id><section_number>64.2-1805</section_number><catch_line>Powers of guardian</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="64.2">Wills, Trusts, and Fiduciaries</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Fiduciaries and Guardians</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="C">Guardianship of Minor</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="18">Custody and Care of Ward and Estate</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Whether appointed by a parent, the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span>, or the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> clerk, a guardian of a ward&#x2019;s estate shall have the powers set forth in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Incorporation by reference of certain powers of fiduciaries into will or trust instrument" href="/64.2-105/">64.2-105</a> as of the date the guardian acts. A guardian of a ward&#x2019;s estate shall also have the following powers: <a id="paragraph-264255" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To ratify or reject a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> entered into by the ward; <a id="paragraph-264256" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To pay any sum distributable for the benefit of the ward by paying the sum directly to the ward, to the provider of goods and services that have been furnished to the ward, to any individual or facility that is responsible for or has assumed responsibility for care and <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of the ward, or to a ward&#x2019;s custodian under a Uniform Transfers to <span class="dictionary">Minors</span> Act, Uniform Gifts to <span class="dictionary">Minors</span> Act, or comparable <span class="dictionary">law</span> of any applicable <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>; <a id="paragraph-264257" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To maintain life, health, casualty, and liability insurance for the benefit of the ward; <a id="paragraph-264258" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To manage the estate following the termination of the guardianship until its delivery to the ward or successors in interest; <a id="paragraph-264259" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> To execute and deliver all instruments and to take all other actions that <span class="dictionary">will</span> serve the best interests of the ward; <a id="paragraph-264260" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To initiate a proceeding to seek a divorce or to make an augmented estate election under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="When and how elective share may be claimed by surviving spouse" href="/64.2-302/">64.2-302</a> or <a class="law" title="Right of election personal to surviving spouse; incapacitated surviving spouse" href="/64.2-308.13/">64.2-308.13</a>, as applicable; and <a id="paragraph-264261" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To borrow money for such periods of time and upon such terms and conditions as to rates, maturities, renewals, and security as the guardian deems advisable, including the power to borrow from the guardian, if the guardian is a bank, for any purpose; to mortgage or pledge such portion of the ward&#x2019;s personal estate, and real estate subject to subsection B, as may be required to secure such loan or loans; and, as maker or endorser, to renew existing loans. <a id="paragraph-264262" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A guardian may exercise the powers set forth in subsection A without prior authorization, except that the <span class="dictionary">court</span> or the commissioner of accounts, if a guardian is appointed other than by the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, may impose requirements to be satisfied by the guardian prior to the conveyance of any interest in real estate, including (i) increasing the amount of the guardian&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, (ii) securing an appraisal of the real estate or interest, (iii) giving notice to interested parties as the <span class="dictionary">court</span> or commissioner deems proper, and (iv) consulting with the commissioner of accounts. <a id="paragraph-264263" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">court</span> or commissioner of accounts imposes any requirements under this subsection, the guardian shall make a report of his compliance with each requirement, which shall be filed with the commissioner of accounts. Upon receipt of the guardian&#x2019;s report, the commissioner of accounts shall file promptly a report with the <span class="dictionary">court</span> stating whether the requirements imposed have been met and whether the conveyance is otherwise consistent with the guardian&#x2019;s duties. The conveyance shall not be closed until a report by the commissioner of accounts is filed with the <span class="dictionary">court</span> and confirmed as provided in &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Exceptions to report; examination, correction, and confirmation" href="/64.2-1212/">64.2-1212</a>, <a class="law" title="Effect of confirmation of report" href="/64.2-1213/">64.2-1213</a>, and <a class="law" title="Recordation of report" href="/64.2-1214/">64.2-1214</a>. <a id="paragraph-264264" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If the commissioner of accounts does not impose any requirements under this subsection, he shall, upon request of the guardian of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a notarized statement providing that &#x201C;The Commissioner of Accounts has declined to impose any requirements upon the power of (name of guardian), Guardian of (name of <span class="dictionary">minor</span>), to convey the following real estate of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>: (property identification).&#x201D; The conveyance shall not be closed until the guardian has furnished such a statement to the proposed grantee. <a id="paragraph-264265" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any guardian may at any time irrevocably disclaim the right to exercise any of the powers conferred by this section by filing a written disclaimer with the clerk of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> wherein his accounts may be settled. Such disclaimer shall relate back to the time when the guardian assumed the guardianship and shall be binding upon any successor guardian. <a id="paragraph-264266" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-1805/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1999, c. 16, &#xA7; 31-14.1; 2012, c. 614; 2016, cc. 187, 269.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
