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why can a parent who didn't buy some for a child take it away. What if the child is buying the things themselves and has a job paying for whatever it is they have? how can a parent take that from them, because i'm not understanding that.
Call me mean, but any property in my house is mine. That means, if I find weed in your room, it is mine. You are looking at porn on the laptop your Dad gave you in your room, in my house? That computer is mine too. Thanks, I wanted a new laptop.
Guess what? Due to my "Draconian" parenting skills, I have four adult children, who do not live with me. I call that successful parenting.
I absolutely think that a parent can take away a child's property. But should they? Only if there is a good reason to. A parent shouldn't just walk into a child's bedroom and take their property because the parent wants it. However, if the child has something they shouldn't, or is breaking the rules, etc.... the parent is well within the right to confiscate the child's property.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasper12
You are looking at porn on the laptop your Dad gave you in your room, in my house? That computer is mine too. Thanks, I wanted a new laptop.
Taking away a computer for looking at porn seems a bit harsh to me. It sends the message that porn is wrong.
A friend has a 16 year old child that is very uncooperative, getting into trouble, threatening her and her daughter and generally destroying their family life and home.
His bedroom is beyond a mess. It's literally difficult to move in the room because there is so much stuff piled everywhere. She has told him that she is going to go in and clean his room and get rid of everything.
He, of course, has stated that she has no right to touch his property. I think he actually has no right to any property in the house and that everything actually belongs to his mother. I believe she has the right to do whatever she pleases with "his" property.
The parents are divorced and the mother has full custody of the children. The father has no custody at all. He has now called and told her that she had better not take away anything from the child that he gave to his son, or he will take her to court. Again, I believe that she has the right to determine what happens to any property in her home. I believe the father has no right to tell her to leave it alone.
Of course, my opinion really means nothing. It comes down to the law. Anyone else here have experience with these issues? I just want to help her find factual information to determine what her rights are in her home. Any resources would be especially appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
I would go ahead and pack up everything that the father has given to the child and send in to him with a note stating that the child can have/use these items at your house because he/she is not allowed to at yours. Then take the rest of the stuff and pack it up leaving a mattress and a blanket.
You are wrong on quite a few points. The UTMA was created to make it easier to protect property of children under 13k. Trusts aren't required. Real Estate is included in the protection. Whether he wins or not, the father could tie the mother up in court arguing that any gifts under 13k are protected----especially since the details of UTMA vary from state to state.
Hopes, no offense, but the UTMA doesn't have a thing to do with christmas gifts, birthday gifts, etc. It has to do with transfer of assets/property (investments, bonds, stocks, etc) to be put in a trust (or a custodial account) on behalf of a minor, that will be distributed by a trustee of that account.
A parent is a minor's legal guardian, until they reach the age of majority. Whatever mom decides to do, no court is gonna slap her wrists for doing. Of course, I am assuming there is nothing as valuable as a car from Dad, lol.
Mom can do whatever with his property, but it would be wrong to just toss it and it would simply create issues w/ the bio-Dad. It can be boxed up. It would be smart to let Dad know what is going on. It is also possible that the father could use this as a way to open a custody case, if the son says he doesn't want to live with mom any longer. The courts would most likely have no problem changing a custody arrangement if the father and son agreed that is what they wanted . . . most courts are gonna let a child that age decide where he/she wants to live.
If mom is receiving maintenance (alimony) and child support, having son go live with Dad will, of course, have financial repercussions.
Last edited by brokensky; 01-16-2012 at 08:44 PM..
The Act protects gifts under $13,000. It could be argued that these meager items fall within that protection.
I realize that it's unlikely, but he can very well cost her money fighting it in court. That's not an expense I would want to have.
Agreed. Giving the items to the father would eliminate most legal worries. Your initial post simply said she would get rid of everything.
Please warn your friend, 16 year olds have a right to decide which parent they wish to live with in most states.
As a result, custody becomes sort of irrelevant at various ages in different states.
Because he is not the injured party he could not sue her so shes safe there. I mean he could sue, but doubtful it will precede. Since he lacks legally custody of his child he could not sue on his child's behalf either.
why can a parent who didn't buy some for a child take it away. What if the child is buying the things themselves and has a job paying for whatever it is they have? how can a parent take that from them, because i'm not understanding that.
Might depend on the state. In my state, a parent can't permanently take property away from a minor. My son's friend lived with us last year. His mother took his car, which was in his name and he had paid for with his own money. When he turned 18, he could take her to court for his car. If she had sold it, given it away, or destroyed it, she would have been required to repay him because it was his property.
Because he is not the injured party he could not sue her so shes safe there. I mean he could sue, but doubtful it will precede. Since he lacks legally custody of his child he could not sue on his child's behalf either.
Any lawsuit can be initiated when a child turns 18.
Any lawsuit can be initiated when a child turns 18.
Which, according to when this thread was started, could be any day now...
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