Lawyer briefs WH seniors on rights, responsibilities
DOSE OF REALITY
BY CAITLIN GIDDENS Special to the Tri County Leader

As seniors at WHS prepare for their futures and wrap up their high school careers, their education reached beyond the classroom and into reality. Lawyer Christi Kennedy came to speak to government and economics students Monday to explain the rights and responsibilities of adulthood.

"Now that you're 18 years-old you have more rights Kennedy said. "Or I like to call them responsibilities. Because they're not all obligated."

These responsibilities include the right to vote, right to marry without parental consent, right to appear on a jury and right to take a lease on a house or apartment.

"When looking at renting at an apartment if you have any questions you should ask a lawyer" Kennedy said. "Even if you think you don't have the money for an attorney. You have to ask yourself if you have the money to get thrown out of your apartment."

Another topic Kennedy discussed was the dif ference between ceremonial marriage and common law marriage. She explained to have a legal common law marriage, you must live with your spouse and address them as your husband or

wife when introducing them.

"But I don't recommend common law marriage," Kennedy said. "It's not a 'let's give a try marriage.' It's a real marriage with a real divorce."

Kennedy said she hoped to sober the seniors into adulthood with a glimpse into reality.

"Now that you're almost an adult, you're in real life," she said. "But if you ever have any questions, there are always attorneys to ask."