I got my girlfriend pregnant. As i'm 15 does my parents have a legal obligation to support the child.?

Question

Is it possible for a person under 18 (minor) to be finiancially responsible for anything under the law? If I cannot sign business contracts or get a credit card how can I be helf financially responsible? Does this imply I automatically get more freedoms than normal and by being in this situation i get total financial independence? What does the law say? I live in massachusettes

Alright people i'm not looking for a moral lesson ts a mess as it is, im asking about the legislative issues.

Answer 1

Unfortunate situations occur.

If it makes the rest of you feel better about yourselves for beating up on this kid than you need to take a look at your own ethics before you condemn someone elses.

Link, I am not sure the answer to your question but I do know most states have a website that explain the laws for their particular state. Enter into Google the name of your state and child support. You should get a link to the Department in your state that applies to this situation. If you can't find the direct answer than contact them. They usually have toll free phone numbers for anyone with questions. Don't be afraid to call. Calling admits to nothing. An attorney would probably tell you to admit to nothing until the baby is born and paternity tests can be performed. You know though. You know if there is a chance this girl slept with anyone else. So for now assume it's yours but regardless of anything at some point in time get paternity tests done.

Now.. a piece of advice. Don't try to hide from this and don't try to deny that you did have a relationship with the girl. Especially with your parents. Be open with them and honest. They are not going to be the enemy in this situation. How you handle this now as a young adult will define the rest of your life and what kind of man you become. There is no reason to make the situation any uglier than it already is. AND, no matter how you feel right now, today, the day may come when you want some type of relationship with the child if she has it.

For now, (I believe) that if the parents of the girl have medical coverage for their daughter than the immediate expenses should be covered. It would be really HONORABLE of you to offer to *work toward* paying any out of pocket expenses like deductibles or co-pays. Trust me Link, you will not regret going the honorable route.

Link, no matter what you do remember one thing, *IF* in fact there is a baby, it is not the baby's fault what happened. Don't build up some resentent in your mind toward the baby.

This does not have to "ruin" your life. It is a setback to your future but nothing changes. You can still have the same goals you did prior. It may just take you alittle longer to achieve them.
Link, don't search out answers on a message board like this. You see the type of responses you got. Most of these people don't have a clue what they are talking about.

PS... One last thing Link, your parents. Remember that upon hearing this news everyone is going to go through a highly emotional period of time. They may say things that are really going to trouble you. Don't be quick to blame them. They are going to have a million thoughts running through their minds just like you do. I have never met a parent that has gone through something like this where their inital instinct is to smile and be happy. Most parents want soo much more for their children than they themselves had. Remember that, as a potential parent yourself, the day will come when you will understand that. Tell them and then let the dust settle. Be a mature young man and take whatever is said to you. The realization will set in that this is going to be THEIR Grandchild.

I can never emphasize enough the glorious relationship you may have with this child some day. Do not throw that away. You will regret it for a lifetime if you do.

I've seen it happen.

Answer 2

It appears you were able to make a baby.A baby is not just a business contract or a credit card, this is a living breathing baby. You may not be financially responsible at this time but this baby will be around a long time. Soon you will be 18, and the baby will be approximately 3 so you will be responsible for the next 15 years. I hope that, if she keeps the baby, you will be a part of the child's life. How old is the mother-to-be? Adoption may be the way to go but that is another subject.
As for your parents, they could very well be held financially responsible. At least until you turn 18.

Answer 3

Listen, kid, if you can make a baby you should be responsible for the care of the child. Your parents obviously screwed up in rearing you if you are making babies at 15 so the question would be do we want them rearing another one who will do the same sort of thing? The state ought to put both mother and father to hard labor until the child is 3 or 4 and then reintroduce the parents. Meanwhile the juvenile parents will possibly have grown up and have a sense of responsibility.

Answer 4

I am not sure about the laws there,but I can tell you when I was fifteen I got pregnant and the guy had the same attitude you do.He thought for sure he wouldn't have to take responsibility for our daughter.His parents even said to me when I first found out that they didn't have a legal obligation and neither did their son.I didn't bother to pursue the matter in court I simply let him walk away.What he didn't realize was not only was he walking away from child support he was walking away from his child.I didn't see him or even here from him until she was five.He decided at that point he wanted to be involved with his daughter.Can you guess what happened next???He made the choice he can live with it!She is eleven now and when she is eighteen she will be able to choose for herself but until then he has no obligation towards my child.

Answer 5

First of all I believe you are responsible. If you can take you ding dong out of your pants at the age of 15 you should deal with the coincedences of the aftermath. That's your child-take care of he/she. Mow lawns or shovel snow or something you need to support the baby yourself b/c no one is responsible but for you!!! That's your blood running through those baby's veins-not your parents. Oh, the government should be able to help too...with wic and all.

Answer 6

Since you live in wacky MA, God knows what stupid liberals law they enacted for teens. In most places yes your parents (both sides) will be footing a lot of the bills, no your not allowed more freedom - still 15! Sorry. When you turn 18, assuming your still the legal daddy your wages will get hit for child support.

I'd suggest one of the parents sue for custody and basically disown you. Sorry kid, you screwed up. Big time. Good job.

Answer 7

Um, it means you have a legal obligation to, if the mother applys for it. But since you're fifteen it will be passed on to your parents. I feel sorry for the fact they have to clean up this mess for you. Get a job and take some responsability for your actions, they didn't get her pregnant.

Answer 8

You have the moral obligation to support the child. Since you are too young to be expected to be a grown up and do what is right your parents should provide your support until you grow up, then you should try to be a man and do what is right for your children.

Answer 9

Presuming you are both underage, then its likely her parents will have to take responsibility as guardians until she (mother) reaches the legal age. If they don't then the child might be taken as a ward of the state.... dumbass!

Answer 10

plan on living with mommy and daddy for a long time, cause all your paychecks after you turn 18 will be going to the state to pay back child support.