Virginia Code 21-310: Guardian ad litem for infants and incapacitated adults
These proceedings shall not be stayed because of infancy or incapacity; but the court in which the petition was filed shall appoint some discreet and competent attorney at law as guardian ad litem to any infant or incapacitated person who may own or be interested in any of the land affected by these proceedings, whether such persons have been served with process or not. If no such attorney is found willing to act, the court shall appoint some other discreet and proper person as guardian ad litem, but the person so appointed shall not be liable to costs. Every guardian ad litem shall faithfully represent the interest or estate of the infant or incapacitated person for whom he is appointed, and it shall be the duty of the court to see that the estate of such defendant is so represented and protected. Wherever the court is of opinion that the interests of any infant or incapacitated person require, it shall remove any guardian ad litem and appoint another in his stead.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 21-310
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Process: includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions. See Virginia Code 1-237
Code 1919, § 1741; 1997, c. 801.