R
Rallyn8664
Guest
What is the name of your state? Florida
Question: Can a 13 child divorce his parents & sue for support?
I'm hoping someone out there can PLEASE at least steer me in the right direction on which way to go here, here is the short version of my problem-yes, I know that it is still quite long
I have 13 year old child living in my home who is not a blood relation to me. He is related via a "common law marriage" of 20+ years of his grandmother to my brother. I have know the child his entire life. Common law marriages are not recognized in this state.
This child ended up in our care because his mother was abusing drugs & alcohol, leaving child unsupervised for hours and sometimes days at a time. Mom was getting evicted from her home and was steeling electricity & water. There was no food in the house. The child had spent the night with my son and Mom never checked on him for 11 days. On day 12, I went and found "mom" and got her to sign a power of attorney granting "temporary child care authorization" until she could get on her feet. There is no time period on the P.O.A. Mom was happy to sign and agreed to help pay for the child's support by giving cash each week and groceries.
To date she has given a total $123 in cash, about $180 in food (she receives $256 per mo. in food stamps) and has seen her child 8 times.
We have come to the realization that mom may never be on her feet. I contacted the foster division of Dept. Children & Families to see about a "legal" placement with us and some financial assistance for the child. I was told what steps to take to get the ball rolling. Step one was report the situtation to the abuse hotline and begin steps to become a licensed foster parent. I did this & within 24 hrs. an investigation began. Unfortunately, the results of the investigation were that there is no abuse/neglect/abandonment because mom signed the child over to us. The investigator also conceded that she realizes that this really is a good place for the child BUT also said that even if we could prove neglect, that the child would probably not end up with us, and may even go to Dad who is a pedophile but was not actually convicted due to an error in his trial. There are no relatives on Mom's side that are willing or able to take said child. Child has no desire to be with father (hasn't seen him in over 8 yrs) or fathers family. Child wants to live in our home. I attended the foster parent orientation last night and realized that our family would probably not be approved for a couple reasons (none that would endanger the child). Obviously, we love this child and want to help him. I am totally desperate for any help as we have 3 children of our own, many financial obligations, and my husband is about to retire from the military and does not have a job lined up yet. You get the idea-any advise anyone?
Question: Can a 13 child divorce his parents & sue for support?
I'm hoping someone out there can PLEASE at least steer me in the right direction on which way to go here, here is the short version of my problem-yes, I know that it is still quite long
I have 13 year old child living in my home who is not a blood relation to me. He is related via a "common law marriage" of 20+ years of his grandmother to my brother. I have know the child his entire life. Common law marriages are not recognized in this state.
This child ended up in our care because his mother was abusing drugs & alcohol, leaving child unsupervised for hours and sometimes days at a time. Mom was getting evicted from her home and was steeling electricity & water. There was no food in the house. The child had spent the night with my son and Mom never checked on him for 11 days. On day 12, I went and found "mom" and got her to sign a power of attorney granting "temporary child care authorization" until she could get on her feet. There is no time period on the P.O.A. Mom was happy to sign and agreed to help pay for the child's support by giving cash each week and groceries.
To date she has given a total $123 in cash, about $180 in food (she receives $256 per mo. in food stamps) and has seen her child 8 times.
We have come to the realization that mom may never be on her feet. I contacted the foster division of Dept. Children & Families to see about a "legal" placement with us and some financial assistance for the child. I was told what steps to take to get the ball rolling. Step one was report the situtation to the abuse hotline and begin steps to become a licensed foster parent. I did this & within 24 hrs. an investigation began. Unfortunately, the results of the investigation were that there is no abuse/neglect/abandonment because mom signed the child over to us. The investigator also conceded that she realizes that this really is a good place for the child BUT also said that even if we could prove neglect, that the child would probably not end up with us, and may even go to Dad who is a pedophile but was not actually convicted due to an error in his trial. There are no relatives on Mom's side that are willing or able to take said child. Child has no desire to be with father (hasn't seen him in over 8 yrs) or fathers family. Child wants to live in our home. I attended the foster parent orientation last night and realized that our family would probably not be approved for a couple reasons (none that would endanger the child). Obviously, we love this child and want to help him. I am totally desperate for any help as we have 3 children of our own, many financial obligations, and my husband is about to retire from the military and does not have a job lined up yet. You get the idea-any advise anyone?