Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Illinois

After 17 years of neglect, abusive, and tough life in my parents house, I moved out. Currently I am living with a friends' family. My father had a bank account open for me. It is my money, my mother went and took that money away from me. I need money, I need money for clothes, necessities, and, most importantly, rent. I am finding a job (applied to many), still go to school, found an apartment/studio to live in, and I am always complimented on how mature I am for my age. I qualify emancipation, and I have more than enough proof. But my parents do not want to give me MY money, what do I do?


Asked on 11/27/13, 6:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

You are talking some major legal action against your parents if in fact the account was a gift to you and they had no power over it except as custodians (many minors' accounts are "custodial"). You could seek court protection as an emancipated minor and for an accounting for the money. If I were the judge, however, and you tell me you were abused and neglected by your parents but they set aside a tidy sum for you, it might tell me they're not as bad as you make out so I'd watch the accusations - a lot of young folks think their parents "suck" when many are just stricter than others -- I'm not saying that is the case but just to be careful how you portray them. I recommend you get an attorney to help you with whatever you'd like to do.

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Answered on 11/27/13, 9:34 am


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