I'm Emancipated from the State: Can I Get Custody of My Sister
I'm a sixteen-year-old girl in West Virginia and am emancipated from the state. My mom and dad died a few weeks ago, and my sister and I were given to the state, and I was able to prove my financial independence and am definitely able to provide for my sister. I'm living in the house our parents left to me in DC, and their jobs were successful enough that we have enough money for me to be able to be financially independent without a job. I have a job (anyway) that provides insurance, and am still in school, and have several adults (among them my sister's doctor, friends' parents, and teacher) who are willing to give depositions on my behalf. The problem is that I'm not entirely sure the law even allows for emancipated minors to have custody of a non-emancipated minor, in which case it wouldn't matter if I had a good chance of proving I was a worthwhile guardian. Can I get custody of my little sister?
Re: I'm Emancipated from the State: Can I Get Custody of My Sister
The chances that a 16 year old, emancipated or not, will be granted custody of another minor are exceedingly slim. Consult local counsel.
Re: I'm Emancipated from the State: Can I Get Custody of My Sister
I thought so... but do you know if I'm technically, legally allowed to do it? I just want to have all the facts
Re: I'm Emancipated from the State: Can I Get Custody of My Sister
I doubt that there is a law either expressly allowing, or expressly prohibiting, a 16 year old from taking custody of a minor sibling. That's why I suggested that you talk to a lawyer.
Re: I'm Emancipated from the State: Can I Get Custody of My Sister
Quote:
Quoting
messyjessi
you have no standing legally to get custody of your sister.
Now that's a bit of a stretch. She's the 10 year old's next of kin. Now whether or not a court would go for it is one thing, but you can't say she doesn't have LEGAL STANDING.