mozoo

Hubby is sponsoring both my daughter and me. We are permanent legal residents (subject to the 10 year Green Card). Daughter turns 18 in July and is so very desperate to flee the nest (yes, it breaks my heart). And, of course, we are (as parents) so totally mean, obnoxious, mean, hard arses, mean, outright horrid, mean, etc etc. Did I mention that we are mean?

Anyways, does anyone here have experience when it comes to dealing with legal resident teenagers who are trying to "emancipate" themselves and don't have any regard for society, and lawful rules? Are we, as parents/legal guardians, held legally responsible for anything that is done unlawfully by said teenager? In other words, where does the "buck" stop? In a nutshell:

Daughter wants to leave home before she is 18 (she is supposed to be graduating in May), and go her own way. Does hubby need to continue sponsoring her, do I still need to be her legal guardian, do we have to pick up any pieces if/when she gets herself into legal trouble?

I appreciate any help/guidance you may be able to point me in the right direction.

mozoo

AdobePinon

As I understand it, the sponsor is still the sponsor until she has 40 social security credits (equivalent to 10 years of work) or she abandons her residency. Not entirely sure, but I think you are the legal guardian until she is 18 (unless you can convince someone else to adopt her). Whether you have to pick up just some, or all pieces, I'm not sure either.

Bob

the financial sponsor, yup, or also until person gets citizenship or dies.

To the OP, your best bet would be asking in the visa section of the forum to get an answer.

AdobePinon

Well, yes, there is always that.

mozoo

Oh goody - we get to renew her UK passport and then dump her back in England coz she sure ain't gonna pay for her citizenship ... and we don't want her to die just yet!!! Hubby will be well pleased for forking out yet another ginormous stash of dosh so that we don't get into mega trubbs with the US Authorities.

As for the visa section of the forum - everything that I could think of regarding a teenage "subject" has come up with nowt. I guess I am not using the correct terminology!!! Ho hum ... gotta get them drinking glasses on

mozoo

YAY - wethinks we will be waiting forever in that respect!!! :scared:

Manc

wait until she gets into trouble with the law first, and the US Authorities might dump her ass back in England for you

TouristTrap

Don't have any words of wisdom, just wishing you good luck. Teenagers are horrid creatures - bet she'll be fine in a couple of years

britontour

Yep a bit a real world living never did anyone any harm.

snowbunny

Her parents (legal mother and father, not her step-father unless he has legally adopted her) are responsible for her until she reaches 18. They must provide food, clothing, shelter, etc.

If she is a disciplinary problem such that you cannot handle her, then you can ask that her guardianship be turned over to the state. Think foster home.

She cannot legally hold many jobs, sign a contract (like a lease or a loan) or many other things until she is 18 proper.

Would she like to go back to the UK? Of course, if she stays there long enough, she will lose her US permanent residency and in the off-chance that she turns out to be a decent creature, it will be much harder for her to get it back through you, even if by then you are a citizen.

Continue to act in her best interest without being a doormat. You don't have to give her a dime -- you merely have to clothe/feed/provide medical care etc until she is 18. Doesn't say she has to have the clothing etc she wants -- merely adequate.

What the heck are her plans to support herself?

scrubbedexpat099

Assuming she has a DL then you have Financial Responsibilities under that until the age of majority, usually 18, some States I think are 21.

There is also the Family Car Doctrine in some States, basically then can sue you as well as the daughter, an extension of vicarious liability.

Much easier to wash your hands in the UK, if you have the money and she does not it is more practical here to seek to include you in any civil action.

Manc

Can I suggest a good swift kick up the jacksee,

Jan Alaska

Our Liam (now 20) has been in jail 4 times, for 3 MIP's (minor in possession)and a lil stay for non-payment of fines. He had no problem getting his 10yr LPR card, citizenship might not come so easy but for now apart from every local cop knowing him as far as we know there are no plans to chuck him out of the country.

Jan

Manc

they're misdemeanors, not felonies though.

scrubbedexpat099

Absolutely

There is also a big difference between pre and post 18 convictions.