WEST VIRGINIA CODE
WVC 48 - 22 - 304
§48-22-304. Consent or relinquishment by infants.
If a person who has executed a consent to or relinquishment
for adoption is under eighteen years of age at the time of the
filing of the petition, and such infant parent is a resident of the
state, the consent or relinquishment shall be specifically reviewed
and approved by the court and a guardian ad litem may be appointed
to represent the interests of the infant parent. The guardian ad
litem shall conduct a discreet inquiry regarding the consent or
relinquishment given, and may inquire of any person having
knowledge of the consent or relinquishment. If the guardian ad
litem finds reasonable cause to believe that the consent or
relinquishment was obtained by fraud or duress, the court may
request the infant parent to appear before the court or at a
deposition, so that inquiry may be made regarding the circumstances
surrounding the execution of the consent or relinquishment. The
failure of the court to appoint a guardian ad litem is not grounds
for setting aside a decree of adoption.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session