17 yr old stepdaughter dropped out of high school

[Zigner]

Sorry... I got the part about WHO said she was not allowed to drive to Dad's home.... And I still contend that is wrong even on Mom's part...

You still didn't say whether mom enrolled her in another school... or not, do you know for sure?

A large court file also means lots of attorney fees too...

Florida state law allows the parent to give consent for a child, 16 years or older, to withdraw from school.

 

[lovingstepmom]

Yes, you can help. But, every step of the way, you are inserting yourself (you used the word "we" over and over again). This is not a good thing.
Help, yes. But don't "interfere".

Thats the only way I can explain the situation. I understand that this is between my husband, his ex-wife and his daughter. I know I have no legal rights and I do not claim to.
I handle all the computer work involved and i am just trying to obtain some helpful information. if my husband was available and was computer literate he could ask for this help himself but that is not our situation.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

When does the daughter turn 18?

 

[lovingstepmom]

Florida state law allows the parent to give consent for a child, 16 years or older, to withdraw from school.

mother did withdraw her from school, her records were not sent or forwarded anywhere according to the principal.

 

[Zigner]

mother did withdraw her from school, her records were not sent or forwarded anywhere according to the principal.

Mother did nothing illegal.

 

[lovingstepmom]

When does the daughter turn 18?

in June of 2008

 

[wileybunch]

Would it be so bad to allow Mom's petition and pay the C/S? A custody fight at age 17 just seems like a waste of time. I realize that this means mom's lower standards will prevail, at least in the short run, but they already are even though your husband technically has custody. Maybe paying the child support for the short time until she's 18 (since graduating from high school isn't in the cards as a milestone) would be the least painful route for all concerned.

 

[lovingstepmom]

No one is being RUDE to you.

YOU are being dense. You post things such as, "What can **I** do?" regarding the child's driver's license. YOU can't do anything, because you are a legal stranger.

The CORRECT answer is: DAD is the only one who can do anything.

WHY would it be best for Zig to LIE to you????

I KNOW I HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHTS...I KNOW I CANNOT DO ANYTHING...I KNOW THIS IS MY HUSBANDS RESPONSIBILITY...I KNOW I CANT SPEAK OR GET INVOLVED IN THE COURT PROCEEDINGS...I KNOW STEP PARENTS HAVE NO RIGHTS...I DO KNOW THIS!
I am sorry if it appears that I am interfereing, I am only trying to explain this the best way I can. I may not state my questons or issues in clear legal content and I apologize for that. Please understand I am only trying to help, not interfere.

 

[lovingstepmom]

Would it be so bad to allow Mom's petition and pay the C/S? A custody fight at age 17 just seems like a waste of time. I realize that this means mom's lower standards will prevail, at least in the short run, but they already are even though your husband technically has custody. Maybe paying the child support for the short time until she's 18 (since graduating from high school isn't in the cards as a milestone) would be the least painful route for all concerned.

I actually agree with you, but my husband is very concerned about his daughter and her going to school. He is very upset and is beside himself. We are only talking about support until 6/2008. I have talked to him about that and he is ok with it IF the court agrees, but he feels like he needs to fight for his child and get her back into school.

 

[wileybunch]

lovingstepmom, I am both a CP and a stepmother and I do understand your position. So long as you aren't doing the communicating with the ex and other communications on the custody/visitation issues of your husband's minor child, you're fine. It's understandable you are helping him, but aren't thinking you are going to be the petitioner or appear in court for him. The warnings to be careful not to overstep are valid, but that doesn't mean you can't do the legwork you are doing for your husband, either.

 

[CJane]

but he feels like he needs to fight for his child and get her back into school.

Honestly though? What does he intend to do to make sure she actually goes to school if he 'gets her'? To make sure she gets good enough grades to graduate?

I know, from personal experience, that when a kid decides not to go to school there's not a lot a parent can do aside from attending WITH THEM to actually get them to go.

 

[Silverplum]

lovingstepmom, I am both a CP and a stepmother and I do understand your position. So long as you aren't doing the communicating with the ex and other communications on the custody/visitation issues of your husband's minor child, you're fine. It's understandable you are helping him, but aren't thinking you are going to be the petitioner or appear in court for him. The warnings to be careful not to overstep are valid, but that doesn't mean you can't do the legwork you are doing for your husband, either.

Of course she can do legwork. What she can't do is call Zigner RUDE when s/he was merely posting the legal facts.

 

[wileybunch]

I actually agree with you, but my husband is very concerned about his daughter and her going to school. He is very upset and is beside himself. We are only talking about support until 6/2008. I have talked to him about that and he is ok with it IF the court agrees, but he feels like he needs to fight for his child and get her back into school.

I would probably do the same thing, put up a fight to try to get daughter back on track, but I wouldn't do it as a come hell or high water sort of thing and I would go into it w/that mindset because daughter is very nearly an adult and there's so little time left to do much with her if she isn't wanting the help.

I also want to say this .... Dad seems like a by-the-book sort of guy that's just beside himself with everything that's going on and his structure is good for kids. But, just make sure Dad's showing a tender side to him that will allow daughter to open up and speak about her deepest fears and things that trouble her because there may be some reasons that feel very valid to her why she's rebelling. I would ask for counseling for daughter and parents in the motion, well, you know, if I were your *husband* and all.

 

[Zigner]

Of course she can do legwork. What she can't do is call Zigner RUDE when s/he was merely posting the legal facts.

He -

 

[Silverplum]

He -

Damn straight. I won't stand by while volunteers are insulted for telling the truth.

Here's a much more fun one:
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=382242