Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Re: Can you help 13yrold teens

I'm sorry your mom would do this to you, but this isn't really a family law question. This is a fraud, a criminal matter. This needs to be reported just like any other case of identity theft. It's going to be hard for a 13 year old to take something like this on alone. Maybe when school starts at the end of the month you can get a counselor or teacher to help you.

Re: Can you help 13yrold teens

I agree with Ms. Bushman, and also understand that you are scared. Is there a family member that you trust that will intervene on your behalf?

Re: Can you help 13yrold teens

Attorneys must recognize illegal activity. Your question seems more about what it does NOT say. Though a person(even a parent)has no authority to illegally use another's identity,the question here is why?Is it because she cannot secure a place for you to live in her own name?Is she avoiding a past abuser who would recognize her if she used her own identity or had a phone listed? Because a person makes poor financial decisions, or circumstances make life hard does not make them an unfit parent. Does she provide basics-food,clothing,health care,does she listen to your needs(maybe not giving you answers you want at 13 years old)but provides for you physically, emotionally, and keeps you safe? Note,if you bring this to a school counselor they will likely report this to child protective services. This is usually done if a child is NOT protected, NOT taken care of by a parent. ARE YOU IN ANY REAL RISK OF PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM? The final outcome could be that you may be ordered placed with another family. No one knows all of the underlying facts but you and your Mom. You cannot control the things your mother does. It is not your responsibility, nor should you feel guilty for her actions. As a responsible teenager, take the EXCELLENT ADVICE of first seeking a trusted family member for help. I also urge you to not bring criminal fraud charges against your mother,at least for now. Without knowing more of your mother's problems the full picture is unclear. Before taking "state's witness" against your mother, you should consider the outcome and the long-lasting effects. A family member or friend could give your mother the names of bankruptcy attorneys who could handle her financial woes, possibly in a civil rather than criminal manner, depending on her circumstances. This might make life easier in the end. Assuming you have a basically good mother,the problem is better solved this way. Lastly, if your mother told an attorney about this fraud, the attorney would be bound ethically TO NOT REVEAL THIS CLIENT CONFIDENCE.When such information is put in the hands of school officials(who may be barely able to manage the school or their own families,never-mind resolve serious legal problems for others)you risk very adverse outcomes. AGAIN, unless you feel personally at risk of harm from your mother, other family members or extended family members not expressed in your question;try another way to solve this. Since you did not authorize(and by law have no authority to authorize)use of your identity illegally,you will thus be able to prove no liability for your mother's alleged actions. The question of damage to your "credit" should not be much concern to you now. Of more concern is getting family help now,a large task,but still possible for a 13year old. If no "trusted" family member is near,you might seek a family counselor, mediator, clergyman or lawyer.