Children and the Law

It depends what country you are in. In Australia an 18 yo is legally an adult and thus can do so.

In The United States, a legal adult (18 in most, if not all 50 states) can! Someone under 18 would need an adult to Petition for Legal Name Change on their behalf unless that minor had already gone to court and been declared an "emancipated minor" by court order.

For California, Yes. You can look up California's Code of Civil Procedure sections 1775-1779.5. 18 or older, you can do it without your father's permission in California.

Yes. A child as young as 11 years old can choose which parent they wish to live with. It doesn't mean however that a judge will grant it, it merely means that the child can file formally with the court for a change in custody.

Besides the punishment you will receive as a parenting measure from your parents, there is none. if a child runs away repeatedly, the social services may think that there is a big issue in the family, and may take action. That should be avoided. Its always better you let your relatives, if not your parents, take care of you, and don't leave it to the state.

You can date whoever you like. Age is not a legal barrier in any country.

However, if sexual contact takes place, this would be a crime if that person is under the age of consent in that jurisdiction.

In general, no, you do not have legal rights with respect to nieces and nephews unless you were their primary guardian at one time.

I think that you should be able to move out from the age 14 or 15 but not have a house on your own for safety reasons! however you should be able to move in with family or friends or connexions should build some flat for teens but have a reception open 24 hours for safety!1 or 2 bedrooms and your only allowed 2 or 3 friends to stop with you,i think this woulld incourige for teens to feel they have responsibilities and keep them out of trouble,we would be able to see what live is really like and fend for our selfs!!!

no because the daughter totally has a year left with her no matter what From What I know, It's possible for a minor to become legally emancipated from his/her parents if the family goes to court.

In Washington state children under the age of 13 must ride in the back seat of a car. Children under 8 are required to use a child restraint.

No, although in some instances one might see it as being justifiable. Minors cannot sue or be sued, therefore it is the responsibility of the custodial parent or legal guardian to initiate legal actions on behalf of a minor child/children.

Signing away custody rights does not relieve a parent from the obligation of paying child support. In fact it pretty much guarantees that she will be paying child support. However, she is not required to pay it until there is a court order for it.

A non-custodial parent is still a parent who retains parental rights. A parent bringing a child for a haircut shouldn't rise to the level of legal dispute unless it was done specifically to harrass the other parent, or it was done in a way to incite anger (giving the child an obviously inappropriate haircut, for example, like having the child's head shaved bald, without any discussion). Ordinarily, a parent bringing a child for a haircut should be considered one of those things that parents do.

Under Tennessee statute, the court will consider the reasonable preference of the child over the age of 12. They can choose to listen to what the child wants but they are not obliged to follow that wish. And the child can only choose between parents not friends etc. To move from parents they need parental consent. The court will not agree to that a child moves from fit parents to live with friends or grandparents.

Laws vary. You need to state where and the circumstances.

The vast majority of U.S. states do allow minors to participate with their parents (Arkansas being one notable exception, as it does not allow nudity in mixed company at all except for doctor/patient and husband/wife). Generally speaking, parental consent is required (in the form of the parent accompanying the child or, at the very least, a notarized document issuing consent).

No. A minor cannot enter a contract. You need to be at least eighteen years of age to sign a binding contract.

I think in most states you would need parnetal consent. The 20 year old could in to trouble without it. Call the local court house or family lawyer that gives free phone consultations.

You cannot legally move out before the age of 18 without parental consent. South Carolina�s Children�s Code defines a 'child' as anyone under the age of 18, and specifically states that running away from home is a 'status offense' (meaning something that is against the law for a child, but not for an adult).

If you leave home before the age of 18, your parents can report you as a runaway, and your boyfriend could get into trouble for taking you in. He could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and fornication (the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman, both being unmarried). I will admit that fornication is one of those laws that�s rarely enforced, but it is still on the books, and I imagine if Mom and Dad caused a big enough fuss they could have it enforced. In addition, there could be other charges that he might be facing that I�m unaware of. Do you really want to take a chance on the man getting into legal trouble and spending time in jail?

Technically it is illegal. However, the age of sexual consent laws of S.C. would not make such a relationship subject to prosecution. neither would S.C. compulsory education laws apply. Therefore, though not strictly legal it would be unlikely that the authorities would intervene, unless circumstances indicated coercion or exploitation. The parents however might be able to initiate "remand and cure" actions under applicable civil codes.

If they have legal custody, they are, by definition, the legal guardians.

An unmarried father cannot "choose" to not pay child support. The laws in every state require that a father pay for the support of his child. The mother must bring an action to the appropriate court so that a child support order can be established. Visitation rights are separate and a father can have visitation rights established by the court. Visitation rights are not dependent on paying child support.

There is no law that specifies an age. However, the child must be safe, feel as if they are safe, and be able to get help if they need it. Probably 14 to 15 if they are trusted by their parents.

Yes. A minor can be arrested for groping another minor.

No. Although when making a decision of partitioning property or deciding who should retain such, the judge also considers which parent is to retain primary custody of the child(ren).

It isn't legal in the U.S. for a child to own a gun, but it is legal for a child to possess a gun under certain circumstances such as hunting, shooting at the shooting range, etc.

The parent responsible is the one with whom the child is staying with at the time the function occurs, unless, physically or schedule-wise, it's impossible for that parent to take the child to the function. (Parent has to work at that time, cannot drive or does not have their own vehicle). In that case, the other parent should step up to the plate, or make prior arrangements for another relative or friend to take the child. What matters here is what's best for the child, not either parent's resentment. If this issue can't be resolved privately between the parents, a family law attorney or professional mediator should be contacted.

Unless there are unusually circumstances, once a minor becomes an adult under the laws of the state in which he or she lives (or as stated in the support order) child support ends. If he or she has established residence outside the custodial parent's home with the approval of the custodial parent, the obligated parent should petition the court to have the support order amended or rescinded. Child support money is for the support of minor children and not "owed" to the custodial parent. The custodial parent does have the legal right to sue the obligated parent for any arrearages or "extra" expenses incurred while the minor child was in his or her care.