Do I have to go to school?
“Education is the very foundation of good citizenship.” ~U.S. Supreme Court, Brown v. Board of Education, 347 US 483 (1954). By
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.
Do I need a guardian if my parents die?
A guardian is a person who takes the place of your parents. He or she has the same responsibilities as
Can I keep what my uncle left me in his will?
A lot depends on the nature of the gift or bequest, your age, and your level of maturity. For example,
What if my parents die without a will?
If your parents die with a will (testate), their property goes to those persons, organizations, or causes named in the
What is a will? Can I write one for myself?
Because of your age and active life, the idea of a will or inheritance may be the last thing on
Can my parents keep me from watching certain TV shows?
There′s an ongoing debate about the effect of media violence on young people. Numerous studies indicate a strong relationship
Can my parents force me to follow their religion?
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees all Americans freedom of religion. This right is not limited to adults. Children and
Who has the right to discipline me?
“You can′t tell me what to do.” “I don′t have to—you′re not my parent!” “If you touch me, I′ll call
Can I ‘divorce’ my parents?
In 1992, a Florida boy named Gregory K.* got a court order terminating his mother’s parental rights and giving him the
Do my parents have to support me after they get divorced?
Child support is a hot issue. Headlines scream “Deadbeat Dad Jailed,”and names of nonpaying parents are displayed on billboards and