February 23, 2016
Judge Tom
Comments Off on Judge Tom

Judge Tom

You are not considered emancipated or free from your parents just because you’re pregnant or after you have the baby. As a teen parent, you will have rights and responsibilities concerning the care of your baby, but you’re still a minor which means that your parents get to continue making decisions about your well being. Perhaps you could try talking to them. Let them know how you feel and what exactly you would like to see happen, where you would like to move, etc. If they are willing to let you live with someone else, or make other changes to make you happy at home, then there shouldn’t be a problem. If you feel that you can’t talk to them, we strongly encourage you to talk to another adult you trust like a relative, teacher or school counselor. Finally, you can check out this site for more information about emancipation laws in your state. Please take care of yourself and your baby. (Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.