Q: Can proctor parents legally open their child's mail if their child is no longer a minor?
My friend is 19 years old. He recently reported to me that his proctor parents have been opening his mail, and have told him that he has no right to his possessions while under their custody and they can legally do whatever they want with anything of his, including taking away his money earned at work and knowingly opening mail specifically addressed to him. Is this true? If not, what actions can he take in response to this?
A:
It depends. Generally speaking, without any other information regarding your friend's situation. Do the proctor parents have a custody or guardianship order? If they do, they likely have a right to open your friend's mail and may have a right to control his finances. Also, if they have such an order, your friend should have his own attorney that he can reach out to in order to request help with this issue. The Court, by law, is to enter custody/guardianship orders that are the least restrictive of the protected person while keeping the person safe physically and financially.
Of course, consultation with an experienced, qualified attorney for specific legal advice is the best way to get specific advice on your friend's situation.
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