This person, who I'd like to becomes guardian, is actually my girlfriend. She is only 16 and I am not seeing much chance of her being emancipated easily. I think that at 20 I have a good enough job to support her and myself.
Her parents are very intolerant and manipulative, I do understand that a parent is supposed to care and worry for their child, but guilt trips, and practical slavery? Her family could make it on their own without all that she does, but they'd have to start doing it on their own.
They do not physically abuse her, but the mental damage they've done is extreme, and it's taken nearly a year to start to heal those wounds enough for her to even be happy.
I'm open to other suggestions besides guardianship, I'd love any advice anyone could offer me on this situation
2007-10-16 13:44:15 · 6 answers · asked by Neverset A 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
In most states you would need to be 21 to adopt. You would have to show how stable you are, financially and mentally. I am sure you would not be able to adopt someone 4 years younger than you anyway.
The only way I see her leaving her parents, legally, is to become emancipated. And that , like you know, is very hard to do. She would need to show the court that she can take care of herself financially.
My suggestion (and you asked for suggestions) is to have her see her Guidance Counselor at school (she better be going to school!) and talk about how tough her life is. The counselor might even suggest outside counseling that her parents will have to pay for through their insurance. I'm not saying she doesn't have it bad, but I am saying if she THINKS her life is bad she definitely needs to talk to someone who can help her so she doesn't do anything foolish. You just keep on loving her and remember every year she will have a birthday and every year will get closer to being able to leave home.
Look at this way - all the housework she needs to do now will pay off when you two are together eventually. She will be a good housekeeper and then will be thankful she was made to do it. Good luck to the both of you. PLEASE do not get her pregnant - that would be worse than anything at this time!
2007-10-16 14:10:50 · answer #1 · answered by DPL06351 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are looking at is most likely a long and expensive legal battle. It doesn't sound like her parents will let her go easily. Unless she can sustain allegations of abuse (slavery?!) there's not much chance of your becoming her guardian no matter what you do. There is a strong preference in all states that children be with their parents. At 20, a judge where I live would look at you sideways because your relationship would bring concerns of statutorily prohibited relationships with minors. My advice: have her stick it out until she is 18 and learn to cope as best she can until then with the light at the end of the tunnel.
2007-10-16 13:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by JohnnyFlyBy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you would never get legal custody. Plus the parents do not sound that bad, there letting their 16 year old daughter go out with a 20 year old.
2007-10-16 13:54:20 · answer #3 · answered by V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your joking right? You know 16 can get you 20....years in prison, they can have your butt locked up. I would butt out, all teens think there parents are cruel especially the ones with 20 year old boyfriends that think they know whats best.
2007-10-16 13:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by Glinda W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a house or unit and ask her to leave home move in with you.
It is wrong for you to be her legal guardian, as that is just another form of slavery, as she will then be your slave.
Dont become evil to defeat evil.
2007-10-16 13:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tread very carefully before you get a child molester lable pinned on you.
Call 1-800- 4ACHILD and report emotional abuse on her behalf.
2007-10-16 13:52:49 · answer #6 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋