Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in Michigan

Raising a minor

What legal actions should i take regarding a minor living in my home and him and i are in a relationship with a child? In order for him to legally be on my lease what actions need to take place? I heard of a power of attorney and emancipation, which of the two would benefit more? His mother does absolutely nothing for him and i would like for him and i to live with one another without worrying about his mother finding time to take him to a doctors appt, or enrolling him in school, checking on his grades, getting him a license and all that stuff. If he were to be emancipated i would be concerned because the lease requires someone to be 18 years of age. He would be an adult but still 17. He needs to be in school and get a license but his mother never has time to take him to get his needs met? I am and want to be a part of him being successful. What can I do?


Asked on 9/29/08, 10:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Neil O'Brien Eaton County Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Re: Raising a minor

Until the boy turns 18 and is emancipated by age, or a judge declares him legally emancipated, he remains a minor. As such, he is without the power to sign a contract (like a lease).

Emancipation is easier said than done. (Read up about it and follow a link to the emancipation process statute at www.prosecutingattorney.info and then click on Legal Definitions and scroll down to the "E"s.) The biggest hurdle is that the minor must demonstrate that he can independently support himself with legal income ... and most 17 year olds cannot do that.

So, until he turns 18, you're going to have to raise TWO children.

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Answered on 9/30/08, 8:20 am


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