Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

child abandonment

We have had a friend of my daughter's living with us for over two years because his mother could not keep an apartment and his father was in prison. His mother allowed it because it meant that he could attend a good school in our city and have a bed every night instead of someone's couch. At first she helped out financially when she could but now we hardly hear from her unless she wants money from him because he has a job now. Is there anything legal that we can do in terms of proving that he has been abandoned? I have spoken with him about his situation and we decided together that it would be better if we had legal custody of him. Is there a way to prove that he has been abandoned that would make him a ward of the state so that we could become his permanent foster home or something? I have no idea where to begin.


Asked on 1/19/07, 10:46 am

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

Re: child abandonment

You haven't indicated how old this young man is, which could be a factor in determining what particular action in this situation might be most appropriate. Nevertheless, I believe a good place to start would be for you to contact your local department of social services office and request to speak with a person who is knowledgeable in child adoption and

foster care matters in the Commonwealth, and who should also be able to advise whether the DSS should take at least interim custody of this child.

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Answered on 1/20/07, 9:30 am


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