Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 79.djvu/778

 738

PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965

[79 STAT.

§ 21-103. Appointment of guardians of the person by court; limitation of number of wards (a) When an infant has neither a natural nor testamentary guardian, a guardian of the person may be appointed by the Probate Court in its own discretion or on the application of a next friend of the infant. (b) Only trust companies may act as guardian of the person for more than five infants at one time, unless the infants are members of one family. § 21-104. Termination of guardianship of the person A natural guardianship or an appointive guardianship of the person of an infant ceases, in the case of a male infant when he becomes 21 years of age, and in the case of a female infant when she becomes 18 years of age or marries. § 21-105. Appointment by deed or will for child inheriting from parent (a) I n case of the death of either parent from whom his or her minor children inherit or take by devise or bequest, the parent may by deed or last will and testament appoint a guardian of the property of the children, subject to the approval of the proper court of the District of Columbia. (b) This section does not limit or affect the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint another person guardian of the children when it appears to the court that the welfare of the children requires it. § 21-106. Guardian of estate (a) Subject to sections 21-101 to 21-104, when land descends or is devised to an infant under 21 years of age, or the infant is entitled to a distributive share of the personal estate of an intestate, or to a legacy or bequest under a last will, or acquires real or personal property by gift or purchase, the Probate Court may appoint a guardian of the infant's estate; and if there is a guardian of the person of the infant the guardian of the estate so appointed may be the same or a different person. (b) The appointment may be made at any time after the probate of the will or the grant of administration when the infant is entitled as a devisee, legatee, or next of kin. (c) Only trust companies may act as guardian of the estate of more than five infants at one time, unless the infants are entitled to shares of the same estate. § 21-107. Preferences in appointment of guardian of estate In appointing a guardian of the estate of an infant, unless said infant 1^ over 14 years of age as hereinafter directed in section 21-108, the court shall give preference to— (1) the father, if living; or (2) if he is dead, then to the mother, if living; or (3) if the infant is a married female, to her husband— when in the judgment of the court the parent or husband is a suitable person to have the management of the infant's estate. § 21-108. Selection of guardian by infant (a) When a guardian, either of the person or the estate, of an infant is appointed, the infant shall, if practicable, be brought before the court, and, if over 14 years of age, shall be entitled to select and nominate his or her jniardian.

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