Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Legal Guardianship

My wife and I have close family friends that live overseas in the Federated States of Micronesia. Citizens of this country do not need visas to live, work, or attend school in the United States.

Because of the terrible education system in Micronesia and our desire to help, 3 children, aged 12-17, of our friends will be coming to live with my wife and I next year. We need to register them in Virginia's public schools, take care of their medical needs, and assume all parental responsibility while they are in the United States.

Adoption is not an option as the children have real parents. My question is - do we need to become their legal guardians or is there any other form of a legal relationship that the schools and doctors will accept?

If we do need to have legal guardianship, what are the steps to take to accomplish this, keeping in mind that the parents are not and will not at any time be in the United States?


Asked on 12/31/07, 2:43 pm

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

Re: Legal Guardianship

Legal guardianship is what will most likely be required in this situation. You will need valid documentation (affidavits) from the parents that they consent to the guardianship. Your local Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court should have the forms which you should be able to utilize to file for the guardianship of these children from these far away "dots In Oceania Pacifica".

If, nevertheless, for whatever reason you encounter impediments or hangups in the process of filing for the guardianships, you would then be well advised to consult with a local attorney who is appropriately experienced with guardianship in the Commonwealth.

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Answered on 1/01/08, 1:53 am


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