Guardianship of a child

TEXAS: What is involved in giving guardianship of a 14 year old to a person that is not family, and does guardianship relieve you of being financially and legally libel for the child?
My husband and myself are both willing to sign guardianship over. We have gone the past 2 years in and out of juvenile courts, placement facilities and detention centers, have done everything available to help our child but he REFUSES to live at home, go to school, etc... He said he omly wants to live somewhere else. After years of trying and counseling we've had enough.

[nextwife]

Where is the other parent?

Sorry I didn't make that clear. My husband and myself are both willing to sign guardianship over. We have gone the past 2 years in and out of juvenile courts, placement facilities and detention centers, have done everything available to help our child but he REFUSES to live at home, go to school, etc... He said he omly wants to live somewhere else. After years of trying and counseling we've had enough.

I would certainly talk to a lawyer and find out exactly what you need so you are not liable. It is one thing to be responsible when children are in your house. It is another not knowing where or what they are doing. The smart thing to do if you give someone else guardianship is also to emancipate (basically divorce your child) at the same time. That would give you a little protection if the child does get in trouble. In Texas you have to do that in front of a judge.

Let me revise my last post. The age at which you can emancipate varies from state to state. If things are unbearable you might consider giving custody over. But even then I believe there has to be special provisions written in that specify that you are not responsible for his actions. Giving up custody of your child is a serious step that you should give a lot of thought to before you do it. Guardianship will not relieve you of any responsibility though.

[VeronicaGia]

Giving guardianship does not alleviate you of your obligation to pay support.

Sounds like IAAL needs to reprint the Brazil story.