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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>67049</law_id><section_number>64.2-2011</section_number><catch_line>Qualification of guardian or conservator; clerk to record order and issue certificate; reliance on certificate</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>64.2-1426</reference><reference>64.2-2029</reference></referred_to_by><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="D">Guardianship of Incapacitated Persons</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="20">Guardianship and Conservatorship</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="1">Appointment</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> appointed in the <span class="dictionary">court order</span> shall qualify before the clerk upon the following: <a id="paragraph-243010" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Subscribing to an <span class="dictionary">oath</span> promising to faithfully perform the duties of the office in accordance with all provisions of this chapter; <a id="paragraph-243011" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Posting of <span class="dictionary">bond</span>, but no <span class="dictionary">surety</span> shall be required on the <span class="dictionary">bond</span> of the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span>, and the <span class="dictionary">conservator</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">bond</span> may be with or without <span class="dictionary">surety</span>, as ordered by the court; and <a id="paragraph-243012" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Acceptance in writing by the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> of any educational <span class="dictionary">materials</span> provided by the court. <a id="paragraph-243013" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Upon qualification, the clerk shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> a certificate with a copy of the order of appointment appended thereto. The clerk shall record the order in the same manner as a <span class="dictionary">power of attorney</span> would be recorded and shall, in addition to the requirements of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Clerk to index findings of incapacity or restoration; notice of findings" href="/64.2-2014/">64.2-2014</a>, provide a copy of the order to the commissioner of accounts. It shall be the duty of a <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> having the power to sell real <span class="dictionary">estate</span> to record the order in the office of the clerk of any <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> where the <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> owns real <span class="dictionary">property</span>. If the order appoints a <span class="dictionary">guardian</span>, the clerk shall promptly forward a copy of the order of appointment and a copy of the certificate of qualification to the local department of social services in the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> where the <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> then resides and a copy of the order of appointment to the Department of Medical Assistance Services. <a id="paragraph-243014" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> shall have all powers granted pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="General duties and liabilities of conservator" href="/64.2-2021/">64.2-2021</a> as are necessary and proper for the performance of his duties in accordance with this chapter, subject to the limitations that are prescribed in the order. The powers granted to a <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> shall only be those powers enumerated in the <span class="dictionary">court order</span>. <a id="paragraph-243015" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">individual</span> or entity conducting business in good faith with a <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> who presents a currently effective certificate of qualification may presume that the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> is properly authorized to act as to any matter or transaction, except to the extent of any limitations upon the <span class="dictionary">fiduciary</span>&#x2019;s powers contained in the court&#x2019;s order of appointment. <a id="paragraph-243016" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A person that refuses in violation of this subsection to accept a certificate of qualification is subject to (i) a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> mandating acceptance of the certificate of qualification and (ii) liability for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in any action or proceeding that confirms the validity of the certificate of qualification or <span class="dictionary">mandates</span> acceptance of the certificate of qualification. <a id="paragraph-243017" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A person shall either accept or reject a certificate of qualification no later than seven business days after presentation of such certificate of qualification for acceptance. A person is not required to accept a certificate of qualification for a transaction if:
				a. Engaging in the transaction with the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> would be inconsistent with state or federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>;
				b. The person has actual knowledge of the termination of the authority of the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> or of the certificate of qualification before exercise of the power;
				c. The person in good faith believes that the certificate of qualification is not valid or that the <span class="dictionary">guardian</span> or <span class="dictionary">conservator</span> does not have the authority to perform the act requested; or
				d. The person believes in good faith that the transaction may involve, facilitate, result in, or contribute to financial exploitation. <a id="paragraph-243018" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/64.2-2011/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 921, &#xA7; 37.1-134.15; 1998, c. 582; 2005, c. 716, &#xA7; 37.2-1011; 2012, c. 614; 2016, c. 30; 2020, c. 702; 2024, cc. 17, 156.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
