I am 24 years old and I have been on my own pretty much since I was 17 years old. I was raised by my mother who has a PhD and is a professor at a university. My father owns a manufacturing company in Jamaica which employs over 400 people. He also had a short senatorial term a few years ago. He is very wealthy and was never really a presence in my life. I recently got in touch with my father who told me that my mother filed for child support against him but because of his public political career he decided to pay her off in the amount of $200,000 instead. At this time I was living on my own because my mother had kicked me out of the house, I had no furniture, etc. It is shocking to find out that she received this amount of funds and that I did not see a cent of it. Meanwhile, my brother finished school at his esteemed private day school and attended college the following year. At 24 years old my childhood friends are getting their masters degrees and I am taking a few classes at community college. I have not enjoyed my life since I was 16 years old. Things in my life have only continued to get worse. I do not speak with any members of my family, I spend most holidays and birthdays alone, I am very shy and withdrawn and have been diagnosed with depression and severe social anxiety disorder. I lost my job about 2 months ago and although I have been looking for a new job I have not found one and can literally go days without going outside. And when I DO go outside I consistently have to wear my sunglasses. The only relationship I have made in the past 4 years or so has been with an abusive alcoholic man who I have continued to stay with even after he choked me to the point of passing out, simply because I have no one else to count on. I am at a point where I don't know what to do. It seems like an endless cycle. I continue to try and push myself to get through school and start my life but then cannot afford to live. I work but have a hard time socially and wind up being too depressed to go, then get fired. I have not seen a physician or dentist since I was 16 years old. I am in serious need of mental help/ medication/ etc but can't afford it ! I keep going around and around in circles and am not living up to my full potential. I am almost suicidal at this point because I do not know what else to do. I know that there are certain age limitations but considering what I have been through... for no valid reason... can I sue my parents? I doubt it would even make a dent in their bank accounts. (Also, I when I got in touch with my father a few weeks ago and told him my situation and asked him for money he did give me about 1800.00. He also said he would be coming to my town to see me. On the day he was supposed to come he texted me and told me he had decided not to. Since then, when I have texted him or emailed him, etc he does not respond. A few days ago I called him and as soon as he heard my voice he hung up the phone and I have not heard anything since.)

I know this is a legal board, and what I'm about to post isn't legal advice. But I think it's important for the OP to read it, since a lot of her post wasn't just about legal things, but a lot about what I would consider personal growth and emotional well-being.

Even f you're parents are awful, you are responsible for your own life. There's only so much you can blame them for. Did you go to college? If not, it's never too late. You can start at a community college. You may be eligible for financial aid. If not, maybe your parents could help you pay for it. You would increase your odds of finding a job to support yourself and maybe even make some friends.

You don't have to stay cooped up inside all day. That's a choice that you're making. You could go out for a walk. You could make an effort to get to know your neighbors. You could even do volunteer work just to get out of the house and be around people. Even if you have no money, there's still things you can do so you're not sitting at home all day.

And have you told your parents how you feel? Have you gone to them? Any relationship is a two way street. When you're younger, sure, the parents should be making more of an effort. But at 24, both parties should be equally capable of making efforts to stay in touch. You haven't told us how much of an effort you've been making.

OK, had to get that out.

I'm wondering why you have been on your own since you were 17.

Money will not solve your problems and take you to a good place in life. How resourceful are you? There are many agencies and community places that will give you a leg up, but you have to make the effort to approach them and apply for aid. Volunteering at a library or an animal shelter or a hospital or a nursing home or a horse rescue farm will do as much for you as it will for those you are helping.

Your father may think all you want are constant handouts and is wondering what effort you will put into pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.

You have no contact with any family members? What's that all about??

As far as I'm aware, you can only sue your parents for monetary damages. I don't see that you have any.

Were they crappy parents? Probably. My mom was a real peach too and I'm much happier since she left; I certainly wouldn't waste the time trying to get money out of her.

Also, you stated that you've had limited to no contact with your parents since 17 years old and are now 24 years old - that's seven years. If you even had a case, the statute of limitations has most likely run its course and you are not able to sue your parents.