I have a niece that is very smart. She is going to graduate this year. Has a very good head on her shoulders, she knows her priorties. She wants to go to college but, her mom says it's a waist of time and money. Her father is on crack and her mother seems to not be all there. By the way he is my brother. So she wanted to leave not to get married or be with her boyfriend. Just in order to be able to finish school and go to college so she ran away. So I told her I would take her in. She's 17 years old. Will I have any problems legally? I believe she would be better of in a stable home.
2006-12-21 04:55:38 · 30 answers · asked by SASSY 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
Her parent seem like they won't miss her that much, or enough to press charges, but if they do, you can always show that they do not provide a stable life, and maybe get your niece's custody. If not, she will be 18 in a year. And there are always scholarships
2006-12-21 05:00:48 · answer #1 · answered by Ashley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your niece will probably be 18 by then and can legally do what she wants. College is definitely the way and she should be happy to have you as a support. I would discuss it with her parents (even though dad's on crack and mom seems like she is). Offer to take her in. You wouldn't want to burn the family bridge - ya know. Then she could enroll into college and possibly get grants for school or live on campus. However, you'd have to deal with feeding, clothing - well being a parent to your niece. I'm sure you know or have heard - teenagers are expensive!
2006-12-21 05:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by downinmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she wants to go to college, her parents can't stop her. Counselors at school would be able to help her fill out applications as well as financial aid forms. You are also a good resource. So why did she have to run away to do all this? If it's going to cause problems, she could do all of this in her own home. If it won't cause problems with your brother, then let her stay there. You don't have to do anything legally if he verbally agrees.
If your brother is on crack, do an intervention for pete's sake. Any trip could be his last.
2006-12-21 05:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, she would be better off in a stable home. But by the time you get custody of her she will probably be 18 anyway. Just ask your brother if your niece can stay with you. If they are that whacked out they will probably be glad to be rid of her. Help her look for scholarships and student aid on the Internet. Help her select some colleges and apply for them. Even the local community college is a great start. Her high school should help her too. Please don't let her dream die.
2006-12-21 05:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
DONT LET ANYONE SAY THAT COLLEGE IS A WAIST OF MONEY. IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. my dad has taught math at the college level for the last 14 years. I know how important a college degree is. with out a college degree you will work in fast food for the rest of your life and never make more than min. wage. i used to work in fast food (part time, as i am only 17) and i was stuck working with people in their 40s-50s who could not add 2+2, when i said that i was saving money for college one guy said "you dont need to go to college, I made it without going and look at me now!" (he was very proud of it too) I said "I am looking at you, I see someone making min. wage, living 1/2 off of welfare, and having no health insurence, life insurence, or car insurence. maby you are happy with that kind of life, but I could never live like that." college is the best thing you can ever do for your self.
2006-12-21 15:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have legal problems, unless her parents say it is OK. Have them sign guardian ship papers, you will need to contact a lawyer. She will probably qualify for some grants to go to school. Have her talk to her school counselor for ideas on where she can apply for scholarships, there are a lot of little know ones out there. How soon will she be 18? If her parents don't want to give you guardianship, contact an attorney. She is 17 she is old enough to emancipate herself.
2006-12-21 05:04:08 · answer #6 · answered by Jinny E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take care of this girl. She is lucky to have you. I bet that the parents are thrilled to be rid of the responsibility.
You need to look into how to get her status as being financially responsible for herself so that she can get maximum college aid. Do some reading about FAFSA and talk to some college admissions counselors about financial aid in her situation. She also may be eligible for many needs based scholarships since her parents will not provide any support for her. Good luck!
2006-12-21 06:38:13 · answer #7 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's great that you support your niece. When I was a senior in high school, my parents only wanted me to stay at home and work. That caused limits to my education. So now I do it on my own. I have been putting myself through college.
If she truly has a good head on her shoulders and support from you, she should be fine :)
2006-12-21 05:01:21 · answer #8 · answered by JAD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe some legal problems but her parents don't deserve her!
If she is smart she should get a scholarship or financial help. Take her inb if some day police come to get you or something get evidence that her parents are not responsible enough to have her. Get her a soon as you can, a young mind is being put to waste!
2006-12-21 05:01:01 · answer #9 · answered by Gwen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I grew up poor, my mother was a home maker and my father was a coal miner. My family didn't have money to send me, my sister and my brother to college. I had to work 4 part time jobs for just tuition. College is not a waste of money, that is why I wanted to go so badly, to open oppurtunities. My parents didn't go to college, and that's all they wanted us to do, get into college. I say, you take her in and pay get her into college
2006-12-21 07:45:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋