My question involves emancipation laws for the State of: Texas
Okay so I have had my twin brother and sister living with my husband and I for 7yrs. Our mom died 4yrs ago and our dad is a dead beat bum that doesn't contact and never supports. These kids will turn 18 in a month and so I figured all problems would be taken care of then. That doesn't seem to be the case. They are both filling out college applications and trying to get finacial aid. We are told they need to put their fathers information on the fasfa and applications. They need his social and tax info. (Bum doesn't file taxes last time I heard from him) He refused to sign for the kids to get driver license and so they are looking to get them in a month when they turn 18. I have received social security for them since our mom died and now he is receiving widowers claim. My worry is that he will refuse the information we need for their applications and fasfa. I was told they would need this until they are 23 or as long as they are in college. Both are planning on 4yr colleges and they shouldn't have to put up with this. I want to emancipate them so they don't have too. My sister has a part time job and my brother is looking for a new one. We support them completely and plan on doing so through college. Will I need a lawyer and is there anything that could keep this from happening? Are there any downsides? Thanks for your help - Worried Sis North Texas

