Emancipation or Neglect? Mississippi

[hburg82]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Mississippi

The age of automatic emancipation in Mississippi is 21. I had to take in a 19 y/old male because his parents kicked him out due to his "lifestyle choice" (gay). They have completely cut him off financially.They sold his car, his belongings, his clothing, and everything else. All he had when he came to me was 2 outfits that he spent his last $80 on that day. It has now been over 2 months since he has had contact with his parents. Is that legal or is it child abandonment? Also for him to go back to college he must use his parents financial information for financial aid unless he is 24 y/o; or unless emancipated. The same goes for government assisted housing. He is working 2 PT jobs; but just started both and has $0 to his name. Is there any legal recourse we can take since they have abandoned their child before the age of automatic emancipation in Mississippi? any advice will help.

 

[TheGeekess]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Mississippi

The age of automatic emancipation in Mississippi is 21. I had to take in a 19 y/old male because his parents kicked him out due to his "lifestyle choice" (gay). They have completely cut him off financially.They sold his car, his belongings, his clothing, and everything else. All he had when he came to me was 2 outfits that he spent his last $80 on that day. It has now been over 2 months since he has had contact with his parents. Is that legal or is it child abandonment? Also for him to go back to college he must use his parents financial information for financial aid unless he is 24 y/o; or unless emancipated. The same goes for government assisted housing. He is working 2 PT jobs; but just started both and has $0 to his name. Is there any legal recourse we can take since they have abandoned their child before the age of automatic emancipation in Mississippi? any advice will help.

http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/93/019/0013.htm
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/93/019/0001.htm
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/93/011/0065.htm

 

[aardvarc]

A complaint can certainly be made to authorities regarding child neglect. However, it's important to understand that once you get the state involved, THEY will be making the decisions about how the case will be handled, up to and including where he'll end up, and it cannot be predicted that the state will place him with your family. Unless you have already completed the steps to be a qualified foster parent (ie taking the state's classes, getting certified, etc.), inviting child protection authorities into the situation could mean he'll be sent to a foster home, a group home, or into some transitional program designed to get him working and self sufficient. That's something we cannot predict for you. You can check into what local resources may be available for him BEFORE deciding on a course of action.

Regardless of the abandonment or neglect issue, his parents cannot be forced to cooperate in assisting with his college financial aid or government assisted housing. College may depend on him (a) waiting until the age where his parent's information isn't needed, or (b) working and taking out loans and attending school as finances allow, or (c) concentating on applying for every scholarship for which he's eligible, or (d) working with the financial aid office at his school to establish himself as an independent student, or some combination of these.