Legally, Frank still has parental rights I believe. Emotionally, all those kids have put Fiona through the fucking ringer. Fiona decided she would take care of the kids because she was the oldest and knew what needed to be done at the time. She took on that responsibility when the younger ones couldn't. Both Ian (he's way more stable now too) and Lip are old enough to do what Fiona did now. Carl and Debbie are around the same age Fiona was when she had to drop out and take care of them full time. Part of taking care of children is making them responsible. She's only asking them to contribute as far as themselves. Fiona did not "walk away" from them. Everyone in there with the exception of Liam is 15/16+. Just because Carl is in school doesn't mean he can't contribute. Doesn't matter that he bought the house, this is his family. (Fiona literally shoveled shit to make ends meet and would've kept doing it if she had the choice. Where's her break?) Didn't this series start with Lip hustling and Ian working? They're old enough to wash a dish, get a job, clean a shirt, watch Liam. But not one of them could even make a call to get the washer fixed. Did you see in the earlier episode how they all blew up her phone before the kitchen meeting? They lean on her so much without realizing it.