# Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.025: 475.025 Rights of parents as natural guardians of minors

> Missouri · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.025

## Section

- **Citation:** Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.025
- **Heading:** 475.025 Rights of parents as natural guardians of minors
- **Jurisdiction:** Missouri
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MO Code / Chapter 475 / Section 475.025

## Text

475.025. Rights of parents as natural guardians of minors. — In all cases not otherwise provided for by law, the father and mother, with equal powers, rights and duties, while living, and in case of the death of either parent the survivor, or when there is no lawful father, then the mother, if living, is the natural guardian of their children, and has the custody and care of their persons and education. When the estate of a minor is derived from a parent, the parent as natural guardian has all of the powers of a conservator appointed by a court, with respect to property derived from him, except that no court order or authorization is necessary to exercise these powers and the natural guardian may invest, sell and reinvest the estate of the minor in such property as is reasonable and prudent.

(RSMo 1939 § 375, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 286, A.L. 1957 p. 829, A.L. 1983 S.B. 44 & 45) Prior revisions: 1929 § 375; 1919 § 371; 1909 § 430 (1958) Where child's estate was derived solely from father, court did not err in dismissing father's petition for declaratory judgment stating his right as natural guardian of child under § 475.025, as it was before reenactment in 1957, since by its terms the section applied only to children's estates derived from both parents and in addition all questions as to father's powers and rights as natural guardian were moot at the date of judgment. Dyer v. Union Electric Co. (A.), 318 S.W.2d 401.

## Nearby sections

- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.010 475.010 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.010.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.011 475.011 Preference for spiritual healing not evidence of incapacity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.011.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.015 475.015 Relationship of guardianship provisions to uniform veterans' guardianship ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.015.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.016 475.016 Persons adjudged incompetent prior to September 28, 1983 — review — effect ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.016.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.020 475.020 Applicability of provisions of probate code to guardianship.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.020.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.025 475.025 Rights of parents as natural guardians of minors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.025.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.030 475.030 Letters of guardianship and conservatorship issued, when.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.030.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.035 475.035 Venue.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.035.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.040 475.040 Change of venue.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.040.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.045 475.045 Who may be appointed guardian of minor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.045.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.046 475.046 Standby guardian permitted, when — appointment procedure — authority ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.046.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.050 475.050 Appointment of guardian or conservator of disabled or incapacitated persons ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.050.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.055 475.055 Qualifications of guardians or conservators.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.055.md)
- [Mo. Rev. Stat. § 475.060 475.060 Application for guardianship — petition for guardianship requirements — ...](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.060.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MO_C475_S475.025. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.