Q: How can I maintain contact with my brother despite dad's restrictions?
I'm 16 years old and currently living with my mom and stepdad in Houston. My dad, who lives in Dubai, is preventing me from communicating with my 7-year-old brother, who lives in Portugal with my stepmom, because he believes I was involved in harassing my stepmom online. I want to wish my brother a happy birthday and maintain contact with him, as my dad is the only means of communication between us. My parents are divorced, and there is no custody arrangement that addresses this situation. What legal action can I take to maintain contact with my brother despite the restrictions imposed by my dad?
A:
You do not have legal recourse in this situation. As your parent, your father has the legal duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of you in the absence of a court order to the contrary. He also has the right to represent you in legal action and to take decisions of substantial legal significance concerning you in the absence of a court order to the contrary.
That means he can restrict your communication with your brother to discipline you because he believes you were involved in harassing your stepmom online and to protect your brother from similar perceived harassment. He and your mother would also be people who have the right to make any legal decisions concerning you in this matter. Restricting communications with your brother is not in any way abusive. Since he is your only way of communicating with your brother, you need to address your desires and the circumstances that have led to his action with him if maintaining communication with your brother is important to you. Otherwise, you may have to wait until you and your brother are 18 years of age.
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