Asked 6/20/2016 – McAllen, TX

Back in 2014 my mom was caught shoplifting at Macy’s and she was later placed on probation for 5 years and back in April of those year she got caught again shoplifting from Macy’s again. Since she committed that crime she violated her probation for the 1st time, so the court issued a warrant for her arrest. On June 13 of this month she went to the probation office and she was placed under arrest there. She has a motion to revoke hearing on the 23rd of this month. I’m 17 and I’m staying here at the house and my 9 year old sister and 12 year old brother are staying with my older sister. I need advice and help on what to do! My parents are divorced and my mom has custody so what happens if my dad finds out? Everything is in my mom’s name at home. I just don’t know what to do

Answer

I know you are stressed out beyond belief because you are dealing with things a 17 year old should not have to deal with. You have two separate issues to deal with: 1) what’s going to happen to your Mom, and, 2) what’s going to happen to you and your siblings. With respect to your Mom, she needs an attorney. If she was placed on 5 years’ probation, the case against her was a felony. I do not know what her criminal record is, or what she exactly is facing, but there is the distinct possibility she will be sent to prison. You have no control over that and only a licensed attorney can help her with her legal troubles.

Your family must make plans that your mother may not be around. You have to contact your Dad. It doesn’t sound like you have the greatest of relationships with him, but he has the responsibility to provide and care for his children. He has to step up and take you all into his home. A motion to modify should be filed in the family law court to reflect the change in conservatorship. YOU just need to take care of yourself. and let the adults in your life work through this difficult situation