Weblog
22. September 2009: Minor Becomes Own Social Security Disability Payee
This is a follow-up from a minor receiving disability who inquired of www.lawrefs.com about changing the payee of her benefits. Thank you for taking the time to follow up as it is very helpful to our readers! ...More22. September 2009: Michigan 17 Year Old Plans to Move to West Virginia Without Parental Consent
Question:"My 17 year old girlfriend in Michigan is neglected and abused on a regular, nearly daily, basis. I live in West Virginia, would there be any legal hang-ups to her coming here of her own free will?" ...More
24. July 2009: Minor Can Receive Mental Health Treatment Without Parental Consent
The Michigan Mental Health Code provides in section 330.1707 that mental health professionals may treat minor children who are at least age 14 without the consent or knowledge of the minor's parent or guardian. In fact, the health professional cannot without the consent of the minor inform the parent or guardian of the mental health services. The treatment has to be on an outpatient basis and cannot extend for more than twelve sessions or fourth months of services after which time the treatment can continue but only with parental consent. The law follows: ...More21. July 2009: Michigan 17 Year Old Plans to Move to Iowa Without Parental Consent
Question:"Hi, my girlfriend is 17. She feels like her parents mistreat her (and I agree) and are not allowing her to leave. My parents and I want her to come live with us until our apartment lease starts in August. I live in Iowa. Can differences in Michigan and Iowa law affect our plan? Could I get in trouble due to Iowa law despite the fact that she is leaving her parents in Michigan? ...More
21. July 2009: Florida 17 Year Old Plans to Move to Michigan Without Parental Consent - Interstate Compact for Juveniles
Question:"Hi, I'm a 17 year old. I live with my mom in Florida who has full custody of me and it hasn't been pretty living there. My girlfriend who is also 17 and is 23 weeks pregnant recently moved to Michigan and my mom is keeping me in Florida until I am 18. I have been doing a lot of research on this. I want to take a flight to Michigan without my mom knowing and live with my girlfriend's family. I will have a job, a place and a school to attend. I am planning on calling my mom when I land in Michigan to tell her where I am and I am going to call her everyday to talk to her and to let her know that everything is ok. Will I or my girlfriend's family get in trouble with the law? Will I be forced back to Florida?" ...More
20. July 2009: Michigan Foster Care and 17 Year Olds
Question: What age does Foster Care deal with? What can Foster Care or Child Protective Services do with a 17 year old? Can Child Protective Services become involved if a 17 year old leaves home and has no criminal record? Does it matter if the 17 year old has been in the Foster Care system in the past, but is now out of the system? ...More18. July 2009: Florida Juvenile Law - Aiding Unmarried Minors
Codified at Chapter 985 of the Florida Statutes is entitled Juvenile Justice; Interstate Compact on Juveniles. Florida law 985.731 addresses sheltering unmarried minors and aiding unmarried minor runaways. It provides:...More
18. July 2009: Interstate Compact for Juveniles
The Interstate Compact for Juveniles has been adopted by 39 states:Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Idaho
Illinois
Florida
Hawaii
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virgina
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming ...More
11. July 2009: Michigan Curfews for Children
Michigan does have curfews for children under age 16 and age 12. ...More16. April 2009: Medical Treatment of Pregnant Minor
Question:Hello, I have a very urgent question that I need answered as soon as possible. If a 17 year old is pregnant, and decides to move away from her parents, what can she do about doctor appointments? My sister is pregnant and 17, and moved away from our parents. I am 19 and unfamiliar with this. She needs to know whether a parent must be with her at the hospital to sign releases and what not. She is so confused. She needs to have regular check-ups just in case something goes wrong. She is on Medicaid. Does a hospital consider her a minor that needs a parent signature? Do you know if they can refuse her because she is only 17? Please write back, this is very urgent. Thank you. ...More
04. January 2008: Teenagers Abused by Parents
Teenagers who are abused by parents either physically or emotionally must be courageous. Many times they feel that they will not be believed if they report the abuse and do not have proof of their injury. They want to get away from their parents and/or get help but do not know how. This article is for them. ...More04. December 2007: 17-year-old Runaways: Not "Adults", Not "Juveniles", And Not "Children" - Michigan Law Leaves Parents Helpless
Wow, this is really interesting. An individual who is age 17 in Michigan is not an "adult", is not a "juvenile" and also not a "child" under Michigan law. What are they then and can Michigan Law provide the authority for the parents to do anything? ...More06. September 2007: How Far Do you Go To Cooperate With the Police
This topic is really related to juveniles and their parents, but it can be correlated to adults cooperating with police as well. I have seen juveniles end up in serious trouble, more than necessary, because their parents allowed too much police cooperation. The scenario involves ...More30. June 2007: Michigan Runaways
Can a 16 year old leave home without permission? No. If the individual is under age 18, they are a “minor”. MCL 722.1. The age of majority in Michigan is 18. MCL 722.52. A child can leave home with permission, however, it is still the parents obligation to support their minor children unless the court modifies or terminates the obligation via a petition for emancipation, or the minor is emancipated by operation of law. MCL 722.3.“Emancipation” means ...More