I Would Like Someone else to Be My Legal Guardian

**sdouglas0728** · 12-10-2008, 07:24 PM

My question involves adoption law for the State of: Ohio.

My father is an alcoholic. I am 16. He will not let me move out. Nor will he allow me to go to college next year.
I have a friend who is 21. She lives right by campus of the college I would like to attend. She has a job and is stable. She'd support me for a year until I turn 18. (I'll turn 17 right before I start college.) Not only that, she'll be willing to let my dog (who I love to death) live with us as well.
My father does not want to sign over custody of me.
6 months ago, when my mom left, my brother had his friend's parents take temporary guardianship of him. That would probably work, seeing as it'll only be for a year.
I don't know how to go about doing this. I don't know if I fight him, will I win. My friend is pretty young, and I'm not sure how the courts feel about this. She does though have a job while my dad does not. She is not an alcoholic.
I don't even know how to go about getting guardianship forms? My brother's guardian said they were on the internet, but all the ones I find cost money.

Is there any advice or help someone can give me?

I'm still in the planning stage and trying to figure out my options.

**LawResearcherMissy** · 12-12-2008, 04:59 AM

Guardianship forms can be obtained from the county Clerk of Courts.

There will be a filing fee involved, and if your father refuses to allow the transfer of guardianship, it's dead in the water.

**sdouglas0728** · 12-12-2008, 05:52 AM

I figured as much. But sometimes he does feel bad about being a bad parent and says he will.
I assume a guardianship document has to be notarized?

**cyjeff** · 12-12-2008, 06:13 AM

A guardianship document does have to be notarized, but it also has to be presented to the court.

Rather than moving and leaving your father to continue, why not, instead, try to go to Alanon or AA TOGETHER to start recovery?

**sdouglas0728** · 12-16-2008, 05:58 AM

I go to both and am an active member. He refuses to attend. He's been in rehab, jail, and the psych ward all in the past six months. It doesn't help. Recovery is for those who want it.