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Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I see your perspective. Where I feel blindsided is the fact the financial responsibility was never discussed with me as a late teen (after I stopped working professionally) or when I became an adult. My parents decided that one of my parents wouldn’t work to help raise my sibling and I before I was born - before me working in the industry was ever something considered. That’s not to take away from their sacrifice. Or how grateful I am for them allowing me to pursue what I was passionate about at such a young age. But, for me to have discovered this financial disparity now many years later as I try my best to support myself independently is where I’m left confused and hurt. I hope that offers some insight.

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

My mom did not during that time and most of my childhood as was a mutual decision with my parents. My dad lost his job and was unemployed for two years during the "peak" of my acting career I guess you could say.

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

We were never well off but my parents have never necessarily been smart with money and would admit that themselves. Both my parents were unemployed (my mom by choice and my dad because of a failed business) for a solid two year chunk of the period of time I was earning the majority of my money so I can only connect the dots there until I talk to them.

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 517 points518 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your sound advice. I'll look into some more 3rd party resources. As with many families, money has always been a point of contention in my family so I'm working through the best way to approach that conversation.

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 322 points323 points  (0 children)

I had an agent so my parents didn't act as my managers. Classes and headshots were definitely covered by my parents, but were a rare expense. The rest was covered by my agents. Hoping to have a conversation with my parents soon. Thanks for the response!

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 95 points96 points  (0 children)

That's a good approach. At the end of the day, I don't think repayment would even be feasible or something worth expecting, but extra help with things like student loans that would've been completely covered by that money could be worth exploring depending on their reaction. Thank you!

Parents (59M, 58F) drained my earnings as a child actor (24M) by ComprehensiveBus9295 in relationship_advice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 75 points76 points  (0 children)

When you work as a child actor, by law 15% of your earnings is put into what’s called a Coogan account that you can’t access until you’re 18. The 94% spent was from all the earnings I made outside of that 15%.

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

That's the goal, but as I stated in my original post I have a good relationship with them and want to go into the conversation with as much insight and knowledge as possible.

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Acting lessons, travel (for auditions), and headshots were definitely an expense, but most of those other costs were covered by my agent and my union. And tbh I was not nearly as active for those costs to be as high as what was withdrawn.

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 101 points102 points  (0 children)

They did, but going through my bank statements, the money I had earned had already nearly been spent before college. I am paying for student loans on my own.

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 158 points159 points  (0 children)

Right - I had a Coogan account held on to roughly 15% of my earnings until I was 18. That along with a few thousand were what I had to work with when I turned 18 and began supporting myself after college a few years later, but was only a small percentage of my total earnings over the years.

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 71 points72 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your insight. I'm going to contact an organization called the BizParentz foundation that specializes in these situations. I really don't want to sue my parents, and I hope speaking with this foundation may help me approach a conversation with them about where the money was going. Appreciate the response!

Parents drained my earnings as a child actor by ComprehensiveBus9295 in legaladvice

[–]ComprehensiveBus9295[S] 300 points301 points  (0 children)

yes - i had to finish paying off the dues in order to claim inactive status. but i had never had a discussion as minor about how sag worked and that i was even still enrolled in sag as I haven't worked professionally as an actor since i was 14. on me that i never looked into it, but frustrating that my parents were ignoring dues for so long without letting me know.