A Virginia minor (child) power of attorney lets a legal guardian or parent delegate temporary caregiving authority to another adult, known as the attorney-in-fact or agent, when they anticipate they won’t be able to provide the necessary care for their child.
A parent or guardian can use this form to ensure their child’s welfare in case they experience a mental or physical health issue or have to fulfill their military deployment. A parent can assign powers to a designated agent for up to 180 days. They may revoke their powers at any time, and the agent has to respect this revocation by refraining from making any decisions for the child.
Legal Considerations
Statute: Code of VA § 20-166.
Where to Record: Recording this document isn’t required.
Signing Requirements: Notary public (§ 20-167).
Length of Validity: 180 days; for service members on active duty longer than 180 days, then their length of active duty plus 30 days (§ 20-166).
