Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

17 yr old ward (sister's child) wants to stay w/ me in Virginia

My husband and I were awarded temporary guardianship of our niece over 2 years ago in Georgia. We are moving to Fort Belvoir, VA. Her stepdad (living with her mom & their 2 kids in a van in a florida walmart parking lot) keeps threatening her with legal sounding BS.

Her ''bio-dad''signed the guardianship petition and wants her with us, but has allowed her child support to continue going to my sister. We could not get that changed. He has paid to the state of florida as ordered since the child was 3.

My sister (the mother) also signed but claims I tricked her.

We went to court 7/13/07. After speaking with ''mom and step dad'', the therapist who had been treating her and our lawyer, her guardian ad-litem told the judge that Deanna wanted to stay with us.

At that point we heard that they dropped their petition to end the guardianship.

Will we have any problem letting her stay with us if that is what she wants as a 17 year old?


Asked on 7/20/09, 2:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: 17 yr old ward (sister's child) wants to stay w/ me in Virginia

If the guardianship is still in place and the court

entered no orders in the matter, it would appear that you should have no problems with Deanna's continued residence with you. (Nevertheless, if you have continuing concerns regarding the matter, why not ask your lawyer?)

Read more
Answered on 7/20/09, 10:13 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Virginia