17 year old wants to move out

[Unregistered]

runaway @ 17 in tx?

I can't handle home anymore and I plan on living with my boyfriend and his parents. Will cops put me back at home or will they allow me to stay with them?

[ccsmod9]

RE: runaway @ 17 in tx?

Hello there,

Thanks for posting on our forum here at the National Runaway Safeline.

It looks like we’ve already addressed the issue you’ve posted here in another thread on the forum. If you think there’s anything further you’d like to discuss, please call us here at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re 24/7 and confidential.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Hello my name is J*****. I' am 16 turning 17 soon when I turn 17 can i move out. I live in missouri and I was wondering can i move out of my house.
Both of my parents are split up they have joint custody and if I get one of my parents permission can I move out at 17.

[ccsmod3]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Dear J (name protected for confidentiality),

Thanks for reaching out on our forum and sharing a bit about your situation. It sounds like you’re trying to figure out how to move out when you turn 17. We are not legal experts, although we do recognize some states view 17 as a gray area. It is possible at least one and possibly two parents may need to cosign a lease for you at 17. Or, if you plan on moving with another family member or friend, it might a good idea to get a notarized letter with permission. To know for sure, you could always try reaching out to a lawyer; however, if your parents share joint physical and legal custody of you, it is likely you would need permission from both of them to move out. We’d be happy to talk to you further about this and encourage you to try out our Live Chat. Good luck!

[Unregistered]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Im living with my grandparents and I want to move out. Im also just a few months from being 17 years old. It's miserable here and their rules they give me dont apply to anyone but me. They break THEIR own rules and are very immature. I want to live with my dad but my grandma wont let me because shes my legal gaurdian and takes advantage and control of the fact that she is my legal gaurdian and me as much as she can. She forces religion on me as much as she can and its become too much. I dont know what to do and i just want help.

[ccsmod14]

Re: Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Hi there,

Thanks so much for contacting us. It sounds like things are really stressful for you at home with your grandparents and we’re sorry to hear about this. We’re here to help you out in any way that we can.

It sounds like you are wanting to move out of your grandparent’s house because of the way that you are treated unfairly. It has to be frustrating going through this at home. We’re not legal experts here, but generally speaking if you leave before the age of a legal adult (18 in most states) then your legal guardian would have the right to make a runaway report. If a report is made, and the police find you they typically would just bring you back home. However, anyone that the runaway stays with could potentially be charged for harboring. In some cases, different city/county/state and local law enforcement could make a difference in how they decide to handle the situation. One option you have is to call your local law enforcement and ask hypothetically what may or may not happen in this situation to get a better idea of how they would respond based in your area.

We’re not here to tell anybody what they should or should not do, we’re just here to help keep you safe in what you decide is best for your own situation. There are a few things that can be helpful to think through when deciding whether or not running away is the best option for your own situation:

Do I have a place to stay?
What about school? Would I continue to get an education?
Am I going to be gone awhile or coming back in a few days?
What would I do for money? Shelter? Food? Transportation?
Who can I depend on if I leave home?
Do I have a safe, solid plan?
What is my plan b in case my first plan doesn’t work?
What have I done to make things better at home?
What can I do to make things better at home?
Who have I reached out to make things better at home?

Please do not hesitate to call or chat with us to talk further. We’re here to help 24/7.

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Hi I'm a junior in Colorado and I've seriously been considering moving out. I'm only 17 and I know I would be considered a run away if I were to leave home.my mom is moving to arizona and I do not wish to move with her Not because I'm scared to move into anew school and a new state but because mentally I don't think I will be able to handle it.i love my mom and I don't want her to be sad but we have a horrible toxic relationship and I'm pretty sure you could consider it emotionally and mentally abusive for both of us except she doesn't think me moving out is going to be a good option. I tried talking about staying with my dad but that's not a healthy option considering his drinking and jobless situation and my only concern is to try to find a more healthy stable living environment for myself.Im starting a job and have multipl people who have offered to help support me and stay with them I am very mature for my age and have been through quite a lot in my life that caused me to grow up fast.i have talked to my therapist,school councilor,and school social worker about my situation and they all have told me that getting out of my situation is going to be good for my depression, anxiety and high stress levels. But I'm not sure how to legally make this happen against my moms will. I've looked into emancipation but because both my parents are in the military vit wouldn't be in my best interest financially because of the Health insurance and transfer of the GI bill I receive.im desperate for ways to make this work and am willing to do whatever it takes I just want to be smart about it

[ccsmod2]

re: 17 year old wants to move out

Hello,

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. You mentioned that you are aware that you would be considered a runaway if you leave. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth. It's understandable that you would want to get out of a stressful situation. Based on what you have tried and your realization that it would be stressful, it sounds like it would be difficult to run away. Maybe you could consider of a way to cope with your situation until you are able to move out. If we can help, let us know.

Take care,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Im 17 im gonna be 18 in december but i already want to leave my house theres too many problems everything is falling apart and i want to leave
my house already im done with all the problems. if i do leave my house now will i get brought back home by the police, i live in fort worth texas
i want to know if i will be brought back home because im planning to leave with my boyfriend soon.

[ccsmod15]

Re: 17 year old wants to move out

Hi there – thank you for reaching out to NRS! It sounds like there are a lot of problems going on at home. It’s great that you’re reaching out for support and trying to think through your plan.

We’re not legal experts, but we can tell you about what might happen if you left home. While you’re under the age of 18, your parents or guardians could report you to the police as a runaway. It’s not illegal for you to run away, but it is what’s called a status offense: that means if the police found out where you were, they would most likely bring you back home. In some cases, police respond differently based on other factors, such as whether the police department wants to get involved with a case of someone who is 1 month away from being of legal age, but that is a decision the police would make.

Hopefully that gives you more clarity on what could happen if you chose to leave home now. If you want to talk more about your situation or ask any other questions, please feel free to call us directly. Our hotline is open 24/7, and is anonymous and confidential (1-800-RUNAWAY).
We wish you the best of luck with your situation, and we’re always here to call or chat if you need support.

Best,

NRS

[Unregistered]

Need advice

I am 17 live in Oregon with my mom and step dad and they aren't bad people but I have no freedom and they frequently complain about me wanting to go visit family members even. I'm an only child and they spend no time with me so I'm super lonely and I have been my whole life, I've self harmed since 5th grade (I've been better about it lately) and even tried to commit suicide once, I have been and am depressed and they know it and have nothing to say about it. I feel like if I live here any longer I won't be able to handle it. My step dads brother (my uncle) and his wife are super nice and have 3 kids that keep me busy and keep me from being so lonely all the time, they spend time with me and I don't feel depressed or like life isn't worth it when I have my family as company. They would be 100% down with having them live with me but my parents would never let me because of how controlling they are, they have told me multiple times that I wasn't even allowed to visit them because they didn't see the point of it. Would there be any way I could move in with my aunt and uncle without someone forcing me to go back? I really don't think I can mentally handle living at my house much longer

[ccsmod2]

re: Need advice

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us. It takes a lot of strength to reach out for help. You seem unhappy with your home life and you mentioned that you want to go to live with your aunt and uncle. We aren't exactly legal experts so we aren't sure how easy that would be to move out. If you are still considered a minor in your state there is a chance that you could be sent back if you leave without permission. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello I'm 16 years old and will be 17 in december. I'm wanting to move out of my house because of my family. We fight and argue everyday. I have an attitude but kids/teenagers have attitudes. My dad usually yells and screams at me and my mom everyday. he's hurt us in the past but my mom has gone back to him. he's recently said that he won't be my dad anymore and he'll act like he'll hate me. I'm very ready to move out this summer after school. I'm pretty sure i have somewhere to go but it's a couple states away. I know for a fact my parents won't sign the papers saying i can leave. I'm going to hate leaving my mom and nanny because they are the only ones who care, but i can't deal with my dad anymore, and my mom won't leave him. I don't really know what to do about this. I want to leave to get away but I'm going to hurt my mom and nanny. Is it legal for me to move away without my parents saying i can? And will the people i stay with get in trouble?

[ccsmod4]

Reply:Hello I'm 16 years old and will be 17


Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
It sounds like it has been a pretty tough time for you at home.

No one deserves to be abused in any way.
You are not to blame for your father’s behavior.

Running away is a big step, that being said; you seem to have some mixed emotions about leaving. You also expressed some thought about hurting your mother and nanny by leaving.
Your concern for them is admirable. We understand this is probably a tough decision for you to make.

In regards to your questions we are not legal experts so we can only offer a generalization of the law as it relates to running away.
In most states 18 years old is the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. A person under the age of 18 leaving home without permission, a parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city.

In short while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows a runaway to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. A good way to find out the laws in your area is to call the non-emergency number of your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.
Does that make sense?

If you would like to speak more about your situation you may contact NRS at 1-800-Runaway or www.1800Runaway.org

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello. I'm 17 and live in NY. My dad threatens to snap my neck and to beat me.( Pretty insane) I have a job and my full license. My plan is to move with my friend I don't care if it's illegal to leave. I'm gonna work until I get enough money to get a place and move away. I'm in 11th grade and don't wanna stay in this house until I finished school. I don't wanna go into a group home ether I can be stable with money. I just want some advice on what I should to honstly I don't care if I never see these people again I'm not loved anymore and don't feel safe. I dont want the cops to be involved I just want to leave and be on my own.