minors + school enrollment, legal rights, kinship care and crossing state lines.

[milmari]

Hi all! I'm a long time lurker and first-time poster. First off, I'd like to say I love this place to death. Second, I checked the tags related to these topics, just to let you know; this way I can save both my time and yours. Disclaimer: English is not my first language, I apologize in advance for any possible mistakes.

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[alicats245]

Caveat: I'm not an attorney or social services. This information is from personal experience (AZ) and research I did for a novel

[atheneglaukopis]

My understanding was that the age of consent for marriage is 18 in almost all states. According to the California Department of Public Health Website, in order to obtain a public marriage license, "You must be at least 18 years old. Persons under 18 with written consent from at least one parent (or legal guardian) AND permission from a California Superior Court Judge may marry. Emancipated minors are NOT exempt from this process

[alicats245]

You're right, atheneglaukopis, the age is 18, unless pregnancy is involved. Though fewer states have that acceptation than was my understanding, OK is one that does. I found this site: http://bit.ly/pglo9

But Mari didn't ask about marriage, so the point is probably moot.

[milmari]

Oh, unless? I guess I missed that part when I read about it.

I didn't ask because it'd be sort of off for A to go that route, to be honest. I don't see her getting married just because she's pregnant, especially when she's having problems with her family. But thanks for bringing the unless bit, that's going to be helpful if I decide to go this route, as in, if nothing else works. Thanks for commenting!

[milmari]

Yep, that's what I thought, too. And exactly why I didn't mention marriage - it'd bring as much issues as this whole thing, IMO. And to be honest, I don't see A getting married just because she's pregnant, especially when she's having problems with her family. So, yeah... I don't see marriage working with my plot. :(

Hm, that sounds interesting! I'm going to try and find more info on it.

You were pretty helpful! Thanks a lot for commenting! :D

[milmari]

It did! Thanks a lot for commenting!

As I explained in my other comment in response to yours, I don't think marriage would really work, unfortunately.

The whole emancipation process would take quite a while, and it'd be sort of hard for her to get it, anyways.

Her parents won't fill a complaint, so it's not going to be a problem - thankfully! I've got plenty of them already, heh.

Thanks for all the info!