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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