Needing help finding out laws in Indiana about leaving home at 17

[Unregistered]

I've been seaching to no Advile about a current problem,
I'm 20 have a successful job working in the oil field in a different state, problem is fell in love with a girl in Indiana and after living together for over 6 months with her family payin rent and helping them with bills, well with the how poor the jobs are in Indiana, I moved back to my state, where I still have a my house and a very well paying job, the issue is her family is emoshionly abusive, and can not proved room she has to sleep in living room with her brother on couch and are unable to pay her medical bills, so we have been talking about her moving down here with me where I can provide everything thing she needs, including a newer vehical to get to and from school with, but after what I have been able to find out myself, are choices are ethier, get her emansapated, get married with a petition to court, we are already engaged but her family is against us marrying till she's 21, then last is just choice is for her to move but then risk legal problems, and I don't want to call cps and her and brother become a foster child, I've also have talked to her brother about moving down also just intill there family can get back on track, and be able to proved for them properly, any Advice would greatly be appreciated thank you

[ccsmod0]

Re: Needing help finding out laws in Indiana about leaving home at 17

Hi,
Thanks for contacting us regarding the issues you are dealing with right now. We will definitely be here to try and help the best way we can. Unfortunately we can't offer you any advice as we are non-directive and will never know your situation like you do but we can try to help you figure thinngs out. It sounds like you care a lot for your girlfriend and her family and that you don't want to get in the way of anyones hard times or happiness.
As you said there is the emancipation option. We cannot say how long this would take, what the cost would be, or if your girlfriend would be eligible but you have the option of looking further into this. Some states are easier then others so if you would like to contact someone about it in Indiana here are some resources:
Indiana Legal Services (812) 426-1295 or toll-free at (800) 852-3477. Another source called Indiana Legal Services: (765) 423-5327 or toll-free at (800)382-7581.
You said you guys are already engaged and that her family doesn't agree with the marriage until she is 21. Although it may cause even more family issues for you and your girlfriend, legally she will be an adult at the age of 18 so she will no longer need the consent of her parents. So you have the option of waiting until she turns just 18.
If she does not want to wait, you have the option of calling the local police where she lives and asking what the consequences would be if she left at the age of 17. Sometimes at this age, police won't bother taking any reports but sometimes they will. It all varies from state to state so sometimes the best option may be just to call and ask. You also may be able to use the legal resources given to ask about consequences of her leaving.
Again, we can't give you certain advice but can only help you look further into the situation and try to help you figure things out. Hopefully with the resources given you may be able to get some more definite answers to help you guys make these tough decisions. It's great that you are being very supportive of your girlfriend and we hope everything works out.
If you would like to further discuss these issues or get any help calling resources please give us a call here at 1-800-RUNAWAY where we are 24/7, anonymous, and confidential. We are also available through chat from 4:30-11:30pm CST. Hope this helps and good luck!
NRS

[Unregistered]

17 with child

Can I legally leave home with my baby if I am 17? I had a baby at 16 and my mom is helping me but won't let me see the baby's father ..I want to move out and live with him...can she stop me?

[ccsmod0]

re: 17 with child

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out tonight and letting us know a little bit about what's going on. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot at home and that you're feeling a little like you don't have any freedom. That can be tough especially since you are a mother. It was smart of you to ask these questions. So let's see how we can help you out tonight.

We’re really glad you reached out to us. The legal age of majority in most states in the United States is 18 and is 19 in a few. So until you reach the age of majority in your state, you would be considered a minor, and it’s possible that your mom could call the police or social services to get you to return to live with her.

One way to get more detailed information for your area would be to call your local police non-emergency line and ask them questions anonymously. One of the services we offer at the National Runaway Safeline is that we can call the police with you on a conference call, if that would make the situation easier. We are available at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) 24/7 for that service, or to help you identify other resources, so please give us a call!

Thanks for reaching out. Best of luck to you,

NRS

[Unregistered]

Hi

Hi I'm 17 have a son and I'm moving out in 18 months and my mom keeps telling me she's taking my son when I turn 18 HELP

[ccsmod3]

Re: Hi

Hello there,

It sounds like you are seriously considering leaving, but are concerned your mom will try and take custody of your son. We are here to explore options and talk to you more about your situation. We offer Live Chat every day from 4:30 to 11:30pm CST. All you have to do is visit http://www.1800runaway.org and click on the red Live Chat button. Or, you can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). Good luck and hope to chat or talk to you soon!

-NRS

[Unregistered]

help with moving

My boyfriend is currently 17. In 6 months can he move in with me? His step dad is a abusive (emotionally) and he wants to move in with us is there anyway in thw state of indiana?

[ccsmod6]

re: help with moving

Hi

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear about the abuse your boyfriend is experiencing. In some states the legal age to move out is 17 even if the age of majority is older. In order to determine the legal age that minor can move out, a legal aid organization or the local police (non-emergency) may be able to help. Will your boyfriend turn 18 in 6 months? If so, he should be considered an adult by the state and legally able to move out.

We are here 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), so you can always give us a call if you have any more questions. We hope the information provided helps. We would like to wish you two the best of luck. Remember we are also available via live chat between 4:30pm and 11:30pm CST.

Good Luck
~NRS

[Bry]

I need help.

Hi,
I am 16 years old about to be 17, in June. I'm am sick of my parents not giving me the respect I deserve. I work at a McDonalds. I've been there 1 month and 2 weeks. And my last two checks my parents have taken 100 dollars out of my checks. All I need to know is can I legally leave my house at 17.
Thank You.

[ccsmod13]

RE: I need help.

Hello,

Thanks for contacting us. Sorry to hear that you've been having some trouble in your relationship with your parents and that they have been taking your money. In order for a person to leave home and live somewhere else without the permission of their parents/legal guardians, that person almost always needs to be 18 years of age or older. However, you can call your local non-emergency police department to get an even more definitive answer. It is important to also know that anyone you stay with that is 18 or older could potentially be charged with harboring a runaway.

Running away from home can be a challenging and dangerous undertaking. We encourage all the potential runaways that contact us to have a plan before leaving home, such as having a place to stay, a means of transportation, and the ability to support and feed yourself.
We commend you for reaching out to us for support.

It takes a lot of strength and courage to ask others for help. If we can support you in any other way, you can reach us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat with us at www.1800runaway.org from 4:30pm-11:30pm. Good luck!

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Can I move out & leave my house? 17 almost 18.

I can't stand living in my house. I'm 17 almost 18 on September 28. My mom makes me feel terrible & won't let me leave my house to even hang out with friends. I end up staying here everyday doing nothing locked up in my room. I end up crying because of her & sometimes have breakdowns. She doesn't let me leave & im wondering if I can move out since I'm almost 18. I have a place to stay with a roommate who's willing to help me & to find a job. And I don't know if I can stand living here any longer. If I leave and she calls the cops would they arrest me or list me as a runaway if its my choice to leave?

[ccsmod0]

re: Can I move out & leave my house? 17 almost 18.

Hi there,

Thanks for posting here tonight and sharing you story with us. It certainly sounds like you're going through a lot at home. It must be frustrating to be so close to 18 and to getting your independence and to have your mom not give you any freedom. It was smart of you to reach out. So let's see how we can help you out tonight.

We aren't legal experts here, but we are able to speak generally as to what might happen if you leave. If you leave without your mom's permission before you are 18, your mom has the right to file a runaway report with the police. If the police take the report and then they find you, they may return you back home. Once you turn 18, the police will stop looking for you and they would not return you. Unfortunately it doesn't matter if you have a safe and stable place to live.

It is not illegal to run away if you aren't on probation or parole. You would only be returned home. It gets a little tricky, because if the police find you at your roommate's house, then your mom has the right to charge your roommate with something called harboring a runaway. The consequences for that range from fines to jail time.

If you decide not to leave and to stick it out until you are 18, who can you reach out to in order to get some support? We are here to support you through the next few months too.

If you have any questions about this or want to talk more, you can call us 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are confidential and anonymous and are here to offer you any support that you might need, no matter what decision you make. If you can't call, you can chat with us through our website (www.1800runaway.org) from 4.30pm-11.30pm Central Time.
We look forward to your call or chat.

Best of luck to you,

NRS

[StarMarine17]

Leaving home at 17

I turned 17 on May 27th, I don't get along with my parents very well because they won't let me grow up. They won't let me get a job, my ID, my permit, or anything. It was the same way with my brother who is now almost 22 and has an almost 4 month old son. I'm dating a US Army Ranger Vet (he's 20, got a medical discharge when he was like 19) and my parents actually gave us the okay to date after they met him and stuff. He makes really good money, over $900 a week. So we would be able to make it on our own. And I know I'd be able to get a job when I move in with him and we'd be doing even better. We want to move in together and everything, but I know my mom and stepdad would flip if I asked. I was wondering if there was anyway I can move out at 17 with getting emancipated and causing a whole bunch of legal stuff to get brought up that will involve my parents. Because that would just make home life even more like hell.. I heard somewhere that the legal age to mve out got moved to like 17 and 6 months or something like that, but I'm not for sure if that's true or not? Is there anyway I can move out now or withing a few months? I really don't want to wait until I'm 18..

[ccsmod10]

RE: leaving home at 17

Hello there,

Thanks for reaching out to us during this difficult time. We are sorry to hear things at home aren’t going to well. It sounds like you are planning on moving in with your boyfriend before you turn 18. Just to let you know we are not legal experts. If you were to leave without your parents permission, they do have the right to report you missing. Although it is not against the law for you to run away from home, anyone you would be caught staying with could possibly be charged with ‘harboring a runaway’. Is your boyfriend willing to take this risk for you? If not what other options do you have?

It sounds like you are hesitant to ask your parents for permission to move in before you turn 18. If emancipation is not an option for you, is it possible to wait until you turn 18 to leave? Once you are legally an adult your parents cannot stop you from moving out or getting a job.

Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we cannot tell you what you should or should not do. We can however help you come up with a safe plan for what to do next. We can be reached at any time at 1-800-RUNAWAY or by live chat at www.1800runaway.org. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

- NRS

[Unregistered]

emancipation & disability

I'm 17 & live in Indiana, I would like to know since I'm on disability, if I get emancipated would I still be eligible to get disability even though I'm not legally 18 yet? But technically I would be living one my own & supporting myself because I am emancipated. Or could I just move out & not have to go through all of that? My mom & her boyfriend are too much about eachother they don't care about my happiness. They don't talk to me when I'm home & complain when I'm not home. They use all of my disability on them & I barely get any of it each month.