HELP! 18 yr old moves out...legally, are their any more parental responsibilities?

United States of AmericaState: Ohio PLEASE HELP......Biological (non-affluent, custodial) single mother raised and supported (i.e., maternally, financially---paid tuition for private schools/worked multiple jobs, never missed a performance or chance to assist with homework when needed, safe/clean residence, home cooked meals, etc.) child from age zero to eighteen (child recently turned eighteen and is completing their senior year of high school). Child attends a boarding school, moved out (from biological mother's home) to live with affluent grandmother. Mother has had no communication with the child since (child's choice--doesn't call, mother would have to "go thru" grandmother to talk with child and not interested in doing that, etc., grandmother is VERY controling and maniplulative, mother could never afford to lavish with expensive gifts and doesn't want to). Father not involved after age 1, and never paid any child support. Is there any legal responsibility for the mother to: 1) retain any of the child's personal property (i.e., clothes, books, papers, etc.), which were purchased by the mother over the years? 2) mother is still under "contract" to pay tuition for bording school for the rest of this school year, only way out is to "withdraw" student, who will have to "re-enroll", since they are eighteen, and make payment--my guess is that the grandmother would pay (by the way, tuition is slightly less than $50,000 per year)--mother is already financially behind on paying the tuition bill and other bills and is not interested in continuing to pay due to the circumstances--what should the mother do? what is the mother's legal rights regarding tuition?--mother has talked to school & they want to know what the mother plans to do (i.e., withdraw student? continue making payments? rearrange payment plan? 3) since the child is of the legal age of eighteen, does the biological mother have to do anything legally regarding getting emancipated from the child (I know its usually the other way around, but I just want to make sure) or is it automatic due to the age of the child? Also open to any additional legal advice you think might be helpful regarding this unfortunate situation. Thank you in advance for your legal advice!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

United States of AmericaState: Ohio PLEASE HELP......Biological (non-affluent, custodial) single mother raised and supported (i.e., maternally, financially---paid tuition for private schools/worked multiple jobs, never missed a performance or chance to assist with homework when needed, safe/clean residence, home cooked meals, etc.) child from age zero to eighteen (child recently turned eighteen and is completing their senior year of high school). Child attends a boarding school, moved out (from biological mother's home) to live with affluent grandmother. Mother has had no communication with the child since (child's choice--doesn't call, mother would have to "go thru" grandmother to talk with child and not interested in doing that, etc., grandmother is VERY controling and maniplulative, mother could never afford to lavish with expensive gifts and doesn't want to). Father not involved after age 1, and never paid any child support. Is there any legal responsibility for the mother to: 1) retain any of the child's personal property (i.e., clothes, books, papers, etc.), which were purchased by the mother over the years? 2) mother is still under "contract" to pay tuition for bording school for the rest of this school year, only way out is to "withdraw" student, who will have to "re-enroll", since they are eighteen, and make payment--my guess is that the grandmother would pay (by the way, tuition is slightly less than $50,000 per year)--mother is already financially behind on paying the tuition bill and other bills and is not interested in continuing to pay due to the circumstances--what should the mother do? what is the mother's legal rights regarding tuition?--mother has talked to school & they want to know what the mother plans to do (i.e., withdraw student? continue making payments? rearrange payment plan? 3) since the child is of the legal age of eighteen, does the biological mother have to do anything legally regarding getting emancipated from the child (I know its usually the other way around, but I just want to make sure) or is it automatic due to the age of the child? Also open to any additional legal advice you think might be helpful regarding this unfortunate situation. Thank you in advance for your legal advice!

The age of majority in Ohio is 18. The daughter is now a legal adult and the mother is not legally obligated to continue supporting the "child" any longer.

The mother can legally get rid of any of the child's possesions remaining in the home that is not specifically in child's name (like a car, etc). However, before doing so, the mother should send daughter a letter stating that the daughter needs to pick up her things within so many days.

As for the contract for tuition, that is governed by that contrat, no matter the child's age. Mother should review the contrat to see if there is a clause in it rekleasing responsibilty upon child's emancipation.