Getting Pregnant To Achieve Emancipation Through Marriage

[tiienchi]

Alright, this is a long story so I'll try to keep to the point.

My girlfriend is 16, I'm 18. I live in Maryland, she lives in Virginia. She's originally from Oregon, but moved to VA with her brother due to a suicide attempt. Her parents were abusive and as are her siblings; she wants to move out. The main reason she wants to move out now is because her parents are trying to take her back. Her parents did state that if she ultimately decides to stay, that she has to get out (emancipation); however, her parents then turned the wheel and stated they would not give my parents legal guardianship. My parents are worried if she goes back, she'll attempt suicide again... Since, something over there, which she claims is family, caused her to attempt.

We know it's impossible for her to get emancipated, and to get married without parent consent is also impossible. There are only two options that are probable, to my limited knowledge: fight for legal guardianship or pregnancy to get married without parental consent.

I looked up some laws in Maryland and saw that the court will give a certificate to marriage if the teen is pregnant (16 years+). I also read that they do NOT have to be a resident of the state of Maryland to wed within Maryland.

I know it's not the best solution, but she really wants to get out of there and I'm very worried. I figure that maybe I can get her pregnant and get married real quickly, then get an abortion in the first trimester since I'm not all for abortion...

I was wondering, in this whole marriage procedure, is there any amount of time she must be pregnant? I also know you have to go to a doctor to validate the pregnancy. Is it possible to get an abortion after the marriage? (Sorry about all the questions) In Virginia, age of consent is 16, so I could be charged; however, if it took place in Maryland, where age of consent is 16, would it matter? And if we get married before anything like that happens, would it void the age of consent deal? And lastly, since she lives in Virginia, would marriage in Maryland qualify as immediate emancipation from her parents power over her?

Once again, I apologize for the long story and all the questions... I just needed some good answers to this predicament of ours. I appreciate all your feedback; thank you.

[jojo4]

So, you are purposely considering impregnating you underage girlfriend with the intention of terminating the pregnancy? Do you have ANY idea the emotional trauma that may impose upon this fragile girl?

What's your backup plan if she decides she will not abort? How are you going to support a wife and a child?

Further, to my knowledge, if her marriage would not be legally valid in her home state, I don't think she can just go to MD to get around her state laws.

[tiienchi]

So, you are purposely considering impregnating you underage girlfriend with the intention of terminating the pregnancy? Do you have ANY idea the emotional trauma that may impose upon this fragile girl?

What's your backup plan if she decides she will not abort? How are you going to support a wife and a child?

Further, to my knowledge, if her marriage would not be legally valid in her home state, I don't think she can just go to MD to get around her state laws.

It was her idea; she wants to do this. I'm just trying to get the facts straight so she doesn't screw everything up for herself.

I believe marriage, if recognized in one state, is recognized in all. I just need to be sure since Maryland also doesn't require residency to wed. I need to be sure of this.

[Baystategirl]

It was her idea; she wants to do this. I'm just trying to get the facts straight so she doesn't screw everything up for herself.

I believe marriage, if recognized in one state, is recognized in all. I just need to be sure since Maryland also doesn't require residency to wed. I need to be sure of this.

"so she doesn't screw everything up for herself"

Well....Aren't you just sweet!!

You can't marry the girl without the PARENTS consent. In either state.

[cbg]

Since Georgia amended their law a year or two ago, I don't believe there is any state where a minor, even when pregnant, can be married without parental consent.

[tiienchi]

Since Georgia amended their law a year or two ago, I don't believe there is any state where a minor, even when pregnant, can be married without parental consent.

How does one state's law affect the laws of a nation?

[Baystategirl]

How does one state's law affect the laws of a nation?

You're not understanding what CBG was saying...Until recently Georgia was the ONLY state that allowed minor's to marry w/o parental consent if they were pregnant. Now there is no state in this country that will allow you and your girlfriend to fulfill your pretty twisted plan.

[jojo4]

One state's law affect the other when a person tries to do an end run around their state's laws by going to another state to do what is prohibited. It means that if she cannot legally get married without parental consent and/or court order in her home state, she can't do it in yours. A court will not issue a court order in MD for her to marry (the only way to marry without parental consent...btw, if parents don'a consent, it is pretty rare that a court will overrule the parents' wishes) once they find out that she is from GA and cannot marry without consent. Each state isn't its own little kingdom.

Bottom line, without parental or guardian consent, she's not getting married unless she can prove that her parents are purposely acting against her best interest in such a manner that it would be detrimental to her health. It's going to be very difficult to convince a judge of that fact, especially when (as you have noted) that the sexual activity you engaged in was less than legal to begin with.

[jojo4]

It was her idea; she wants to do this. I'm just trying to get the facts straight so she doesn't screw everything up for herself.

I believe marriage, if recognized in one state, is recognized in all. I just need to be sure since Maryland also doesn't require residency to wed. I need to be sure of this.

Then as a person that truly loves her and wants the best for her, it is your responsibility to tell her NO. You know she is emotionally fragile. Aborting her child has the huge potential of eroding what little emotional stability she has.

Love doesn't mean agreeing to every whim. Sometimes, love means doing what you feel is best, even if you don't like the situation. Have you even considered (if what you say is true) how aborting your child will affect YOU?