Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

parental responsibility and emancipation

I live in Florida. My husband divorced 5 years ago. His ex-wife moved to Washington State and their daughter decided to live with her. My step-daughter is now 17 and will be 18 March 9th, 2004. The ex-wife just informed us that her husband received a transfer to Hawaii and she is leaving Washington December 9th, 2003. My step-daughter wants to finish high school and doesn�t want to leave. My husband and I offered for me to move to Washington until my step-daughter finishes high school in June. We were basically told thanks but no thanks, that arrangements have already been made for my step-daughter to stay with friends, and we should stay out of it. We were also told that my step-daughter would be 18 soon and was old enough to make her own decisions.

I want to know if my husband will be held legally responsible should anything happen while his daughter is by herself. For example, if she gets in a car accident is he responsible? Also, his ex-wife is changing her address with DCS so they don�t know she is moving out of state and she can continue to collect child support. Is he legally responsible to pay the friends the child support? And does my step-daughter have to emancipate herself in order to stay in Washington?


Asked on 10/31/03, 11:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jahnis Abelite ABELITE LAW OFFICES, P.S.

Re: parental responsibility and emancipation

The custodial parent is responsible for the child and not the non-custofial one. The mother's arrangements with the "friends" regarding support are her own business and not subject to your scrutiny. A minor cannot emancipate themselves unless they have the ability tototally be self-supporting.

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Answered on 10/31/03, 8:20 pm


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