What rights do Minors with children have in regards to child support?
It is no longer uncommon in Texas for a minor to be the parent of a child. Minors in Texas are not viewed as adults when it comes to civil issues. Even though a minor has a child of their own, they are not viewed as adults under Texas law.
For this reason, they will need an adult representative to act on their behalf. This representative is called a Next Friend. The job of the Next Friend is to represent the minor parent in all legal matters, including establishing and collecting or payment of child support.
What is the next friend?
Often times, the Next Friend is one of the parents of the minor parent. Parents have the right to represent their child in legal actions and make other substantial legal significance decisions concerning their child. Tex. Fam. Code §151.001(a)(7). However, it can be any adult or legal guardian that the court approves. The court can also appoint a guardian ad litem or an attorney ad litem to represent a minor parent if a suitable next friend is not available. A next friend, guardian, or attorney is responsible for making sure that the minor parent understands the legal decisions that are being on their behalf made during a child support court process.
A Teen Parent can be held responsible for caring for a child.
Minor parents are subject to the same financial responsibilities as adults. Even though they are a minor parent, they will still be responsible for the payment of child support.
If the child of the minor parent is being raised in a foster home or by a relative or grandparent, both minor parents will be required to pay child support.
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