CODE OF VIRGINIA

COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION; PARTIES; JURISDICTION (§ 20-49.2)

Proceedings under this chapter may be instituted upon petition, verified by oath
or affirmation, filed by a child, a parent, a person claiming parentage, a
person standing in loco parentis to the child or having legal custody of the
child or a representative of the Department of Social Services or the Department
of Juvenile Justice.The child may be made a party to the action, and if he is a
minor and is made a party, he shall be represented by a guardian ad litem
appointed by the court in accordance with the procedures specified in §
16.1-266 or § 8.01-9. The child’s mother or father may not represent the
child as guardian or otherwise. The determination of the court under the
provisions of this chapter shall not be binding on any person who is not a
party.The circuit courts shall have concurrent original jurisdiction of cases
arising under this chapter with the juvenile and domestic relations district
courts when the parentage of a child is at issue in any matter otherwise before
the circuit court. The determination of parentage, when raised in any
proceeding, shall be governed by this chapter.

HISTORY: 1988, cc. 866, 878; 1989, c. 368; 2008, cc. 164, 201.