                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD; STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING (§ 63.2-1205)

In determining whether the valid consent of any person whose consent is required
is withheld contrary to the best interests of the child, or is unobtainable, the
circuit court or juvenile and domestic relations district court, as the case may
be, shall consider whether granting the petition pending before it would be in
the best interest of the child. The circuit court or juvenile and domestic
relations district court, as the case may be, shall consider all relevant
factors, including the birth parent(s)&#8217; efforts to obtain or maintain
legal and physical custody of the child; whether the birth parent(s) are
currently willing and able to assume full custody of the child; whether the
birth parent(s)&#8217; efforts to assert parental rights were thwarted by other
people; the birth parent(s)&#8217; ability to care for the child; the age of the
child; the quality of any previous relationship between the birth parent(s) and
the child and between the birth parent(s) and any other minor children; the
duration and suitability of the child&#8217;s present custodial environment; and
the effect of a change of physical custody on the child.

HISTORY: 1995, cc. 772, 826, § 63.1-225.1; 2000, c. 830, § 63.1-219.13; 2002,
c. 747; 2003, c. 467; 2006, cc. 825, 848.