My daughter got pregnant on her first time having sex with her boyfriend who is also 16 about to be 17 at the end of this month. She just turned 16 in Sept.
What rights does she have as a minor?
What rights do we have as parents?

We are supporting her and taking care of her and the baby. The father is willing to help support the baby also, but being they are both minors, my concern is insurance coverage on the baby. Our insurance will not cover her pregnancy and the only way to cover the baby is for us to become legal guardians of the baby until she decides to get married and has the father to get insurance on them.

Any advice is appreciated?

Sparkles, welcome to AMHD.

It may be necessary for you to get temporary guardianship. Understand that it is not uncommon these days with children having children.

I am unsure about what rights you are asking. Can you please clarify?

What rights do parent's have over their minor children who have a baby?
What rights do minors who have a baby have?

Well, you have the rights over your daughter.

Yet, once the baby is born, you continue having rights over your daughter, but she now has the rights over her child. You cannot overrule the decisions she makes about her baby.

Once that baby is born, your daughter is considered an emancipated adult. She can make decisions for herself and her child. However, you usually have the right to overturn the decision when it comes to her, but not her child.

How can she be responsible for her child if she is still a child and I'm still responsible for her?

It is very confusing.

Okay, here we go, and I am now talking medical okay...

Let's just say that your daughter was in an accident and needed a consent for surgery... if she cannot consent, you can.

If her child is sick and goes to the ER and your daughter does not consent for the surgery your grandchild would need, you cannot overrule her. She is the parent of the baby.

The parent ultimately has the final decision. That also holds up in many other instances. You are the parent of your daughter, so you have the final decision.

She is the parent of the baby, so she has the final decision.

Each parent is responsible for their respective child.

It works this way the majority of the time in any instance as she is emancipated after having the baby.

So, it may be in your best interest to get guardianship.

OK, she is very understanding and we have a close relationship. I feel we will be even closer now. My husbans (her dad) and I have been talking to her about guardianship of the baby until she turns 18, which so far she agrees.

That may be in her best interest. Make sure that it is written in the contract that she regains guardianship at that age or whenever she can afford it, insurance and otherwise.

Contact a family law attorney.

Well I would either do that or put the baby up for adoption

Well I would either do that or put the baby up for adoption

This thread is from 2006. The baby is now 6 years old.

I know the question wasn't asked, but just to let you know, once your daughter turns 18 and has guardianship over your grand baby, if you live in the US, it's very likely the baby will be eligible for Medicaid.

I know the question wasn't asked, but just to let you know, once your daughter turns 18 and has guardianship over your grand baby, if you live in the US, it's very likely the baby will be eligible for Medicaid.

Just want to point out, again, this question is from 2006. The daughter was 16 then, but now she's 22, and the baby would be 6 years old.

Also, the OP (original poster) hasn't been back since 2006.

So sorry I completely missed that. My bad :/

Just want to point out, again, this question is from 2006. The daughter was 16 then, but now she's 22, and the baby would be 6 years old.

Also, the OP (original poster) hasn't been back since 2006.


So "we" SHOULD read the entire thread before answering?

I read the thread but often miss the "title."