http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3928081.stm

Boy wins 'divorce' from father



An American teenager has won a "divorce" from his father after the man agreed to give up his parental rights.

Patrick Holland's mother, Liz, was murdered by his father, Daniel Holland, in October 1998.

Patrick, 14, said he believed his father lost the right to be a parent because of what he did that night.

Holland is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Massachusetts.

On Monday, Patrick arrived at the courthouse in Canton, Massachusetts, determined to terminate his father's parental rights.

Holland had been expected to fight to keep his parental rights, but on Monday evening, Patrick's legal guardian, Ron Lazisky, announced the father had agreed to give up his parental rights. A judge sitting at Norfolk County Probate and Family Court had ruled that the hearing should take place in camera and it was left to Mr Lazisky to confirm what had happened behind closed doors.

Its called becoming an emancipated minor( unless this is a diffrent situation in legalease), in this case I certainly support the "divorce".

Its called becoming an emancipated minor( unless this is a diffrent situation in legalease), in this case I certainly support the "divorce".

As far as I know, emancipated or not, your parents are still considered your parents. Now, will this guy no longer be considered the boys father? If so then the situations are different.

Its called becoming an emancipated minor( unless this is a diffrent situation in legalease), in this case I certainly support the "divorce".

I don't think so. An emancipated minor becomes a legal adult for all intents and purposes. This case sounds like the boy is still a minor with a non-family legal guardian.

If the law there is sorta like it is here, he'll still be considered the father for all matters except parental authority. Inheritance law and so will still apply to them.

As far as I know, emancipated or not, your parents are still considered your parents.

Not in terms of legal authority.

As far as I know, emancipated or not, your parents are still considered your parents.

Not in terms of legal authority.

You know that's not what I meant. They are still your parents, like your wife is still your wife, untill you get a divorce.

A short while later there was a similar case here in North Carolina, where twin boys cited this case to recieve a 'divorce' from their father. I'm not sure of the outcome, though.