PREGNANT NONFACTOR
Everybody’s Uncle,
Can you move in to your boyfriends house if you are pregnant and or about to have the baby with out gitting in trouble with the law?at age of 15?
(Unsigned)
Niece,
Legal considerations:
Until you are of legal age your parents have the right to decide where you live. Having a baby does not change that general rule. There are laws pertaining to households that offer unauthorized domicile to underage persons. Such households may be in violation and forced to assume responsibility for support and conduct of the underage person. Read similar columns below for additional information.
In short, no, you can’t move into your boyfriend’s house without risking serious trouble.
Things for you to think about:
In this circumstance there are emotions on all sides and often not much clear thinking. You might think that you are in love and that love conquers all. It does not. In a very short while you are likely to find out that your boyfriend will move on with his life and you will become a part of his past. With neither an education, nor means of financial support, reality soon sets in.
His parents might just want to get this behind them or want to step up to the plate. This has to be weighed. They could move out of town. Your parents could make life difficult for them. You are too young to have much say in the matter.
Parents of pregnant 15 year olds are not a happy lot. Sometimes they accept the situation and support a decision to keep or adopt out the child. Sometimes they take their disappointment out on the girl and the baby.
There are no easy answers to the complications of a 15 year old girl soon to become a mother. If there is a clear thinking person with some ability to speak and negotiate reasonably with all parties, please use and be thankful for his/her guidance.
There are many legal questions including paternity, statutory rape, support, domicile, and custody that can cause all kinds of turmoil. Lacking knowledge of the individuals and circumstances, I can’t do more than alert you to what is ahead. If you provide me with additional information, I will be happy to provide dispassionate counsel
In all cases where legal consequences are possible an attorney should be engaged.
If you were my daughter, I would most likely advise you to put the baby up for adoption and take steps to see that you and your boyfriend part company until you are 18 and out of my house.
Everybody’s Uncle.
