Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

What is the legal age to marry without parental concent in Va

I am a 26 year old man and have a friend at church who is 16. She is having numerous problems at home including domestic abuse for which her father is on trial for now (He beat her up). It is looking more and more like he will not get any time if even convicted. She is currently living with another family at church, but cannot stay there indefinately. I fear that after his trial she will be made to go home. She has told everyone she WILL NOT go home. In fact she has run away twice to get away from him and I know she will again. We have been talking and think that if it is a possibly we could get married. Nothing is going on or will be but I can offer her a safe place to stay where her father cannot get to her. After she is 18 she will be free to divorce me and we can both go on with our lives. I know this is wierd but I am willing to put my life on hold to help her as I am a victum of abuse as well. I want to find out if she CAN marry me without parental concent in Virginia. Please respond asap.


Asked on 11/26/02, 8:23 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Patrick Stiehm Stiehm Law Office

Re: What is the legal age to marry without parental concent in Va

The short answer to your question is, no. Under Virginia law at her age she need parental consent. She has several other routes to go if she is in deed abused. She should be talking to her local DFS office, legal aid office and/or Commonwealth's Attorney's office. She can even consider filing for a protective order with her local J&DR Court. The court, I suspect would consider the appointment of a GAL. You should stay out of it however, since your proposed solution is very problematical.

Read more
Answered on 11/27/02, 11:04 am
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: What is the legal age to marry without parental concent in Va

You're right,"this is weird", and not only that but plain dumb and very ill-advised, not only for

you but for the 16 year old minor child.

If you have even 1/10th of one per cent of the

normal complement of sanity that, hopefully, you were genetically endowed with, you will put this fatuous idea out of your mind and never seriously consider it again---not only for your sake but for the sake of this very vulnerable and, obviously, confused minor child.

Read more
Answered on 11/26/02, 10:40 am


Related Questions & Answers

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