Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

What are the rights of parents when a minor child gets pregnant? Can they force a child to have an abortion? Can they force the child to give the baby up? Do they have to raise the grandchild? Is the minor child emancipated once she becomes a mother herself?


Asked on 1/03/10, 2:32 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Can they force a child to have an abortion? No.

Can they force the child to give the baby up? No.

Do they have to raise the grandchild? No.

Is the minor child emancipated once she becomes a mother herself? No.

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Answered on 1/08/10, 2:47 pm
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

Mr. Wagner is correct, I believe, that all answers are "No."

Your daughter is still a minor, and she is still your responsibility. I think you should get your daughter some counseling/therapy, with a qualified psychologist experienced in this issue, to help her make HER decision. I need to emphasize that what she does with this pregnancy and/or resulting child is HER decision. If she comes home with a baby, you can't simply abandon her or kick her out because she is your minor child and your responsibility. I would also like to suggest that you (and your spouse, or your daughter's other parent) should talk to the same therapist as your daughter, and perhaps the therapist can somehow 'mediate' a suitable agreement among all of you for how to proceed, what is best for both the children, and what you as parents are supposed to do.

This was not a very "legal" answer, I know. But, I hope it was helpful anyway because I didn't want to just shut you down with a legal "NO."

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Answered on 1/09/10, 5:58 am


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