Hello, I'm 18 and I have a 17 year old friend moving into my apartment soon from out of state. I live in Florida and he currently lives in Connecticut. His parents are okay with it so I believe i read that would be legal for him to leave. My question is would he be able to get a bank account, or does he just need someone over the age of 18 to sign for his account too or what? Also, If i wanted to become his legal guardian, would that require court even though the parents aprove, or could we just sign some stuff with a notary? Please help....

I don't think there's any way an 18-year-old would be granted guardianship of a minor.

Especially a 17-year-old.

You could co-sign on his bank accounts and everything regardless of you not being his legal guardian.

You could co-sign on his bank accounts and everything regardless of you not being his legal guardian.

K that's all I wanted :) Getting a Florida's drivers license wont be a problem right? He has one for Connecticut already...

Umm...he would have to have a parent or legal guardian sign for him to get a license.

I don't think there's any way an 18-year-old would be granted guardianship of a minor.

Especially a 17-year-old.

You could co-sign on his bank accounts and everything regardless of you not being his legal guardian.

There aren't many things that can be co signed because of the fact that a minor cannot enter into a legally binding contract.

There aren't many things that can be co signed because of the fact that a minor cannot enter into a legally binding contract.

That's the whole reason for the co-signer in the first place.

That's the whole reason for the co-signer in the first place.

Contracts with minors are NOT legally binding even WITH a co-signer. The contract would only be binding between the co-signer and the other party. The minor can't be held liable if the terms of the contract are broken. It would be a very stupid decision for the OP to co-sign ANY legal agreement for the minor. If the minor does not live up to the terms of the agreement the OP is left with the responsibility and no legal recourse, even if the minor doesn't break the contract until AFTER they turn 18.

K that's all I wanted :) Getting a Florida's drivers license wont be a problem right? He has one for Connecticut already...

Getting a Florida DL will be a huge problem. A parent will have to agree to sign a statement of responsibility for the minor. They do not have to be present when the minor goes to the Florida DMV. They can sign the statement and have it notarized. Details are available here http://driversed.com/FL-DMV-Handbook/dmv_fl_your_license.asp )

The minor will need to obtain a Florida license within 30 of moving to FL. They cannot continue to legally drive using the Connecticut license.

Contracts with minors are NOT legally binding even WITH a co-signer. The contract would only be binding between the co-signer and the other party. The minor can't be held liable if the terms of the contract are broken. It would be a very stupid decision for the OP to co-sign ANY legal agreement for the minor. If the minor does not live up to the terms of the agreement the OP is left with the responsibility and no legal recourse, even if the minor doesn't break the contract until AFTER they turn 18.


Both of my kids have bank accounts in there name. Of course I had to co sign but it's in there names and they are the only ones who can touch it.

Both of my kids have bank accounts in there name. Of course I had to co sign but it's in there names and they are the only ones who can touch it.

If they were to spend all of the money and become overdrawn on the account, guess who the bank will go after for the money? The ADULT that co-signed. It is only a problem if the contract is broken or violated in some way. With bank accounts, there are normally restrictions until the minor reaches a certain age. Once they are the age of majority, the bank normally requires that a new contract be signed.

If the minor does not live up to the terms of the agreement the OP is left with the responsibility and no legal recourse, even if the minor doesn't break the contract until AFTER they turn 18.
That's actually not true. While the person is a minor they can legally void any contract that they sign however the OP cannot. Once the minor turns 18 and enters majority, if they have not already voided the contract they are considered to have ratified it and henceforth legally bound by its terms.