Father or mother natural guardian and to be appointed guardian of estate, If competent.
Section 553
SEC. 553. Father or mother natural guardian and to be appointed guardian of estate, If competent. — The father, or, in case of his death or legal disqualification, the mother, of a minor child, is to be deemed the natural guardian of the child, and as such is entitled to the custody, and care for the education, of the minor, but not of his estate, unless so ordered by the court. It shall be the duty of the judge, in the appointment of guardian of the estate of a minor child, to appoint the father or mother or near relative of the child, preference being given in the order just named; but the court shall have the power to set aside the order of preference here provided, and to appoint any suitable person as guardian, either of the person or of the estate of the minor, or both, as the best interests of the child may require. The authority of the guardian shall not be extinguished or affected by the marriage of the guardian.