31-1 - Natural guardians. - Virginia Statutes

§ 31-1. Natural guardians.

The father and mother of every legitimate unmarried minor child, if livingtogether and being themselves respectively competent to transact their ownbusiness and not otherwise unsuitable, shall be the joint natural guardiansof the person of such child, with equal legal powers and equal legal rightsin regard to such child; and upon the death of either parent the survivorshall be the natural guardian of the person of such child. If either parenthas abandoned his family, the other shall be the natural guardian of theperson of such child.

(Code 1919, § 5320; 1930, p. 687; 1999, c. 16.)