Baby? And Contract?

[NeedAdvice2727]

I am asking this question about my friend, Liz, who is 17 and pregnant. She lives on her own, has no high school degree, and boyfriend is soon to be gone. Her mother passed away, and her step-father has legal cutody of her. In the legal guardian contract it says that he is supposed to keep her on his insurance policy until she is 21. She is 17, and he has long since removed her from his policy. I have been trying to gather information to help her in this matter. I am told that it would be a simple open and shut case in court, and they would make him follow through opn the contract. She obviously needs a bunch of medical care at this time. I am told that court appointed attourneys are only for criminal cases, however, and she does not have mopney to pay for a lawyer and court costs. Are there any lawyers that do this type of simple contract enforcement for free? Could she represent herself? How much would it cost to file this with a court? My other question is concerning her actual delivery of the baby. I was wondering if there were any laws or anything surrounding the capability of her to be a mother. I mean, she is not on drugs on anything, but she definitely does not have any money to support the baby. She can't even support herseld, and with the baby, I don't know how she will be able to work. Can social services evaluate her and take away her baby? Will they grant her aid at the child's birth? Does the child have any legal rights as to not be put in a horrible situation of being with a mother that can't pay for medical check-up and baby food? Please let me know any laws that surround this matter. Oh, Liz and I both live in Texas. Thanks!
Katie

 

[LegalBeagle]

First thing to do is write to the step father and explain that he is ordered to cover her on his insurance. Point out that she is pregnant and HE will incur expenses of possible over 40k in child birth expenses if he does not put her back on his cover.

Explain in simple terms that he has a choice. Defy the court order and end up with a 40k bill, or pay the little bit extra and place her under his insurance.

 

[cdcard]

Dear NeedAdvice:
You may also want to consider contacting your local county bar association and asking for names/phone numbers of local agencies that provide free attorney services for indigent people, especially pregnant indigent people. Not only does she need legal help now, your friend also needs a good family law attorney to get child support for the baby. And she shouldn't have to wait until the baby is born to start the process. Also, there are many charitable organizations that can probably help your friend but its probably going to take a lot of phone calls. Get your pointer finger ready for action. Best of luck to you and your friend. Come back and chat if you have questions along the way.