Q: My son is 17 and just dropped out of high school. He has a job. Can I legally charge him rent to stay in our home?
I know that it is my responsibility to offer him food and shelter until he is 18 but since he dropped out of school and is not actively working to get his GED, can I charge him rent now?
A: What you are proposing is something of a grey area. Charging rent from a minor (who you have a legal obligation to support) is moving dangerously close to child neglect. There are also significant issues related to the violability of nearly all contract with unemancipated minors. Tread very cautiously...
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