Annanan1

What would happen to a kid in early 90's in the U.S whose parents are killed?

i have this MC, his parents have been killed in boating accident. he was about 10 at the time there are some younger kids too and a couple of older ones. the eldest sibling is 17 at the time. what i want to know is would the authorities allow the family to stay and live together if an aunt came to live with them, until eldest was 18 or 21. then could he look after his brothers and sisters. it is for my novel?

thanks for any help.

edropus

That would be up to the aunt. The children would be placed under the care of their legal guardian by law; if no legal guardian is specified they would be placed with a legal guardian appointed by the state (specifically the state). There's no hierarchy of family relation - the court appoints whoever they see fit as legal guardian. However, I believe a court appointed legal guardian can refuse guardianship.

Not too sure on the legalities of the 18 year old taking care of his or her siblings a'la Party of Five.

Annanan1

Thanks for you help,

I only said 18 cos in UK where i am from 18 is an adult. i do not know whether this would be suffient in the U.S.

What is party of five?

edropus

Party of Five was a cheesy television show in, I believe, the late 90's, about five kids whose parents die somehow and the oldest kids take care of the younger ones.

18 is the legal 'adult' age in the US as well, but I believe the court will prevent someone who they do not see fit to take care of minors as legal guardian. The 18 year old would have to prove that they both have the maturity/responsibility and financial security to take care of his or her siblings.