One Life To Live Discussion Group

Topic: Question

The choice to put a baby up for adoption isn't a business or contract transaction regardless of age. You can't legally promise to sell a baby for money or exchange it for some other some other form of equal compensation as you would a car or work for pay etc which is what a contract is. All Starr had done is express an intention to play the baby up for adoption after it's born and a desire for the baby to be placed with Marcie but that doesn't guarantee a thing for Marcie. The law bends over backwards to assure Starr (and Cole) a good amount of time to change their minds because in the eyes of the law, it's almost always best for kids to remain with their birth families whenever possible.

I'm curious to know tho where you see Starr entering into a contract here. Or are you asking if kids of that age are competent to decide what's best for their unborn child? Not that that wouldn't be a very valid question. Just curious.

Replies: (list all replies)

I thought Starr was demanding he sign away his rights to his child. But didn't the judge already say nothing will be decided until after the baby is born? Also, if Cole can sign a legal document on his own, what does he need a legal guardian for?

Because legally he is, most likely, at or slightly over the age to legally consent to sex. He has parental rights, whatever his age. He is the only one who can sign over his parental rights, whether or not he could enter into any other type of legally binding contractual agreement. He is, as I said below about Starr, old enough to make some legal decisons without the consent of his guardian or parent. He can quit high school without permission from a parent or guardian. eom

I guess I'm asking a little of both.Cole signed papers yesterday and he's only 17, so how can they stand up in Court?that's a contract.And I know Starr has say over her body, in most states she could have had the abortion w/o parental permission, but after it's born, and need's paperwork to be adopted,I thought there must be an adult , either relative or Court-type to make decisions because of minority status.And any decision she makes about the baby will in all likelyhood involve some kind of contract or agreement, no? L.A.

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Posted by: Rosebud1
Date posted: Sun Aug 3 10:59:35 2008
Message:

Having the baby trumps everything else.  Blair & Todd have no legal standing in what happens to the baby, only the biological parents do. 

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I watch Judge Judy (Shhhh..) and in all he cases, with out exception, she tells people that a Minor cannot enter in to a Contract,for anything.Buying a car, Medical bills from a misshap, anything. I know it's TV Justice, but she stays close to reality.So how can a 16 yr old decide a baby's fate?? L.A.

Because she is the child's mother & legally responsible for it--no matter what the age. She is of legal age of consent to have sex, so she is legally capable of signing away the rights to the child. She could also take that extra step & become an emancipated minor, quit high school & get her GED. Actually, she is legally of age to quit high school without getting parental permission. eom

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