The West Virginia Minor Child Power of Attorney furnishes a written preparation to legally allow guardianship to a person other than the child’s parent for a chosen amount of time. The document can be adjusted as needed to bestow authority to a third party that can make decisions for a child regarding their life’s medical or legal facets. The designated rights do not relinquish parental rights but rather grant an additional individual to speak on the parent’s behalf concerning the child. Generally, this type of document is utilized to allow signing privileges to another to give a managerial appointment to an agent to handle health care, dental, and educational issues in scenarios where the parent will be absent for an extended time period. Corroboration of the parental signatures will obligate the aid of a notary official to be present to qualify a satisfactory binding commitment.
Laws
Statutes – Uniform Power of Attorney Act (W.V.C. § 39B-1-101 – § 39B-4-103) and Supporting and Strengthening Families Act (W.V.C. § 49-8-1 – § 49-8-6)
Definition – “Child” means an individual under eighteen years of age (§ 49-8-2(a)).
Signing Requirements – Notary Acknowledgment of the action is required for proper authentication (§ 49-8-4).
Other Versions (3)
State of West Virginia Power of Attorney to Delegate Parental or Legal Custodian Version
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
West Virginia Minor Child Power of Attorney Form – Version 1
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
West Virginia Minor Child Power of Attorney Form – Version 2
Download: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- Legal Aid of West Virginia – Infant Guardianship
- West Virginia Judiciary – Rules for Minor Guardianship Proceedings
Related Forms
Revocation of Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)