[prissykins]

I have known this girl and the parent for 6 years. Parent has tried to commit suicide numerous times and is emotionally/physically abusive. I have seen the bruises. Non-custodial parent is worse than custodial parent. She will be 18 early 2007. She wants to live with my family. My family fully supports this. We currently live in Az but are moving to Tx soon. Custodial parent might sign papers letting her live with us, get medical care, enroll in school, travel, etc. What type of papers (no-court involvement) would we need? The parent could and would with no warning revoke anything non court but according to AZ law the minor might not be finished with the emancipation process before she turns 18. She also is not financially independent, my family can and will support her. What type of emancipation laws does Tx have if we managed to get her that far with parent's cooperation? We are her ONLY safe haven and we have to move. There seems no escape or answer for her. She is mature, responsible, excellant student. But also abused in custodial home and more abused in non-custodial home. Help, please!

[aaron]

If the parents grant a guardianship, that should be enough to get the child enrolled in school and may even be enough to add the child to your family's health insurance. These forms may be useful.

Texas makes emancipation available for a 17-year-old state resident who is self-supporting and managing her own own financial affairs. If necessary, your family could consider the possibility of seeking a guardianship through the courts in Texas, should the girl's parents attempt to revoke their grant of a guardianship.