77236716.1-352Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016Courts Not Of RecordJuvenile And Domestic Relations District CourtsStandby GuardianshipWritten designation of a standby guardian by a parent; commencement of authority; court approval required1998, c. 829.http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/16.1-352/16.1-350Petition for court approval of standby guardian/16.1-350//16.1-352/16.1/11/17/16.1-352A parent may execute a written designation of a standby guardian at any time. The written designation shall state:sectionAA1 The name, address and birthdate of the child affected;sectionA1A12 The triggering event; andsectionA2A22 The name and address of the person designated as standby guardian or alternate.The written designation shall be signed by the parent. Another adult may sign the written designation on behalf of the parent if the parent is physically unable to do so, provided the designation is signed at the express request of the parent and in the presence of the parent. The designated standby guardian or alternate may not sign on behalf of the parent. The signed designation shall be delivered to the standby guardian and any alternate named as soon as practicable.sectionA3A32A standby guardian under a designation shall have the authority of a guardian of the person and a guardian of the property of the child, unless otherwise specified in the designation.sectionCC1A designated standby guardian or alternate shall file a petition for approval as standby guardian. The petition shall be filed as soon as practicable after the occurrence of the triggering event but in no event later than thirty days after the date of the commencement of his authority. The authority of the standby guardian shall cease upon his failure to so file, but shall recommence upon such filing. The petition shall be accompanied by a copy of the designation and any determinations of incapacity or debilitation or a certificate of death.The provisions of § 16.1-350 C shall apply to a petition filed pursuant to this section. The court shall enter an order approving the designated guardian as standby guardian upon finding that:sectionDD1 The person was duly designated as standby guardian pursuant to this section and the designation has not been revoked;sectionD1D12 A determination of incompetence was made; a determination of debilitation was made and the parent consented to commencement of the standby guardians authority; or the parent has died as evidenced by a death certificate;sectionD2D22 The best interests of the child will be served by approval of the standby guardian; andsectionD3D32 If the petition is by an alternate, that the designated standby guardian is unwilling or unable to serve.sectionD4D42