financial support of a stepchild

[konserve]

What is the namwho is responsible for financial support of a stepchild

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What is the name of your state
Indiana

I am a stepchild, 16 years old. I moved from Russia to US in 2003 with my mom, who married an american citizen. My biological father who is divorced from my mom signed a statement of release. My mom and I both have green cards. Neither I nor my mom work. So my mom has no money of her own to support me.
My stepfather has been unwilling to pay for bookrentals and other fees at a local public school for me. But he has been claiming me for a taxbreak on his taxforms. The monetary support I get from him is really minimal. However the school claims that I do not qualify for text book support and reduced meals, because he is supposed to pay for it, has enough income, and I am not a foster child. He has not been paying for it and as result I have arrears and student with arrears cannot attend commencement or worse , cannot graduate. There are other nasty limitations the school imposes on me. What can I do?

 

[stealth2]

Please don't post the same question in multiple places - it just confuses things. This is the appropriate board, however.

It is your parents' job to support you, not your stepfather's. Since both you and Mom have green cards - time to get jobs. You can work part time while you go to school, Mom can work full time.

 

[nextwife]

I do not know family law in Russia. Typically in the US, the BIOLOGICAL father and mother are considered to have the primary financial responsibility to support their own children.

So neither your mom nor your biofather are providing any financial support?

BTW- If your mom is not working, then your step dad IS helping support you. He is providing housing, food, utilities, paying for cloths and what not.

 

[stealth2]

By the way, your written English is very good for only having been in the US for a year.

 

[nextwife]

Indeed it is. And, better than many native born posters who are adults!

 

[konserve]

stepchild

yes neither of my biological parents support me. my mom does not have a job and my dad is in russia. And no he does not support me either, because in russia no one can make him to.

As for getting jobs,

I am underage, I need parental consent to get a job. My mom is not willing to give it and my step-dad is not my guardian. I could fake her signature, but that would be illegal. I would have to show my greencard, my social security number to my employer, all of which are in possession of my mom and she locked them up. Also she would be wondering what I do so long away from home suddenly. How can I get I job if she does not even allow me to drive.
And public transportation in midwest is really nonexistent.

I can't make my mom get a job. She does not have to. After all, she is protected by the marrige, her spouse is obligated by the law to support her.
But the law as I found out, does not protect me, as I am a step child and my step-dad is classified as a legal stranger. He is not obligated to support me.

As for paying for food,house and utilities, he would pay for it even if I was not here, my mom and he would need it to live, so my presence in paying these is not really a consideration.

As for clothes, he does not pay for my clothes. All clothes I have are either the old ones from russia or are my mothers clothes or clothes I got from my friends.

As for parents being not the biological ones but those who care about me
my mom cars about me. My stepdad does not have a relationship with me.
We never go beyond a smalltalk and he avoids me whenever possible.

But that's all explanation. I want to graduate and with arrears in school I can't. Even if I have perfect grades and good presonal record. And if I do not graduat I can't go to college and I want to go. And my stepdad could care less if I go to college or not.

 

[stealth2]

Your problem is with your mother. Let me guess - mail order bride.

 

[VeronicaGia]

yes neither of my biological parents support me. my mom does not have a job and my dad is in russia. And no he does not support me either, because in russia no one can make him to.

As for getting jobs,

I am underage, I need parental consent to get a job. My mom is not willing to give it and my step-dad is not my guardian. I could fake her signature, but that would be illegal. I would have to show my greencard, my social security number to my employer, all of which are in possession of my mom and she locked them up. Also she would be wondering what I do so long away from home suddenly. How can I get I job if she does not even allow me to drive.
And public transportation in midwest is really nonexistent.

I can't make my mom get a job. She does not have to. After all, she is protected by the marrige, her spouse is obligated by the law to support her.

***What? Your step father is under no obligation to support her or you. Wherever did you get this idea?

But the law as I found out, does not protect me, as I am a step child and my step-dad is classified as a legal stranger. He is not obligated to support me.

***No he is not. So why is your mother allowing this? Does she want to become a citizen so much that she will forsake you in the process?

As for paying for food,house and utilities, he would pay for it even if I was not here, my mom and he would need it to live, so my presence in paying these is not really a consideration.

***You miss the point. The point is he doesn't have to provide you with any of these things. He doesn't even have to provide your mother with these things. He could divorce her and she'd have to support herself. Why not talk to your mom and either ask her to get a job or tell her you need your personal documents so you can get a job? Why are you laying all this on someone who is under no obligation to you?

As for clothes, he does not pay for my clothes. All clothes I have are either the old ones from russia or are my mothers clothes or clothes I got from my friends.

As for parents being not the biological ones but those who care about me
my mom cars about me. My stepdad does not have a relationship with me.
We never go beyond a smalltalk and he avoids me whenever possible.

***I'm sure your mom cares about you but she is not supporting you financially. She is the one who is legally responsible to do so. Your anger is directed towards the wrong person.

But that's all explanation. I want to graduate and with arrears in school I can't. Even if I have perfect grades and good presonal record. And if I do not graduat I can't go to college and I want to go. And my stepdad could care less if I go to college or not.

***Does your mother care? If so, do as I said above, either ask her to get a job or tell her to give you your identification so you can get one.