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**ccsmod10** · 04-24-2016, 08:20 PM

Re: moving out

Thanks for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your are experiencing some tough times living with your aunt. It’s a great first step that you are reaching out to find the information that you may know.
Do you have anyone you can talk with about the situation at home? It can be helpful to have someone to talk about the difficult times at home and to think about ways to improve your situation.

An important detail is thinking about what your aunt's reaction will be. We are not legal experts here, but typically being under the age of what your state considers to an adult (usually 18 ), you would need permission from your parents to leave. It is not illegal to runaway or leave home without permission, but it would mean that your parents could file a runaway report. The police would then be required to return you home. However, being 18 typically means that you would not need this permission. We are not educated on how each police district would handle the unique situation of leaving the day that one turns 18. This could be something to ask by calling the your local police district's non-emergency number.

Some things to think about for the future if you will continue your education. How long do you anticipate on being gone or being able to stay where ever you may be? How will you support yourself or whom you will be staying with be willing to support you financially with food, clothing, other personal expenses/ allow you to stay rent free? What if things do not work out here in the future, what will be your back up plan?

If you want to talk through this option or others, or to get more information about services in your community that can help you, feel free to give us at call 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY.
Good luck!
NRS

**Unregistered** · 06-23-2016, 08:13 AM

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Ok so I am 18 and im ready to move in with a friend and their parents BC I'm not out of high school but I really need to know if I have the right to take my social security card and my birth certificate. BC I will need those wont I? Should I keep those with me?

**ccsmod1** · 06-23-2016, 10:22 AM

RE: Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to us for help. Since you are over the age of 18, you are considered to be a legal adult. This means that you have a right to choose where you live. Legally, your legal guardian cannot force you to come home if you decide to move out. As a legal adult, you have a right to your documents. You are correct that you will need your social security card and your birth certificate. They are very important and are difficult to replace, so it is important to keep them safe and put them in a place where you will not lose them. We can help you figure out a plan for how to stay safe and move out on your own. We are here to listen and help you in any way that we can. It sounds like you have a friend’s family that you are planning to live with. It is good to hear that you have that kind of support. If you need any other resources or you want to talk about your situation, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon and wish you the best of luck.

**Unregistered** · 09-02-2016, 10:56 AM

can I live with my other parent a month from turning 18

Hi. I'm soon to be 18 and my mother doesn't let me see my dad and I want to live with him. If I refuse to leave his house can my mother make me leave

**ccsmod15** · 09-02-2016, 03:40 PM

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out. This sounds like a tough situation.

We have to stress, here, that we are not legal experts. If you call we can connect you with free legal resources. But, speaking in general, this situation hinges on who has guardianship. Once you turn 18, you will no longer be under guardianship, and you can do what you want.

But in the month before that, the key question is whether your mother has exclusive guardianship or whether it’s shared between your parents.

If it’s shared guardianship between your parents, it’s possible your dad could make some sort of claim, but for more info on this, we’d have to turn you over to some of our legal resources.

If she does have exclusive guardianship, she may file a runaway report if you leave. It’s important to remember that it’s never illegal to run away. The police’s only obligation is to return you to your guardian.

Different police departments would handle a situation like this differently. Because you are so close to eighteen, it’s possible they would not pursue it. One way for you to check is to call the local police department’s non-emergency number in your dad’s neighborhood and ask how they would handle it. You can do that without giving your name.

Another thing to consider is how she would act in this situation. You know your mother best, so think about whether she would pursue getting you returned if you left. It’s possible she might not.

Feel free to call if you want to talk through this situation further.

**Unregistered** · 10-03-2016, 05:20 PM

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hello,ill be turning 18 november 4, 2016 and i want to move out the same day on my birthday, like soon as 12:00 pm hit. Can i talk or be in a relationship with any age? 20,30, or 40 yrs of age. Will my parents have the right to call the police. Just cause a 18 year old want to talk to a grown man?

**ccsmod10** · 10-03-2016, 08:20 PM

RE: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally"

Hey There!

Thanks for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It is such a great and courageous step to take in searching for options.
You mentioned wanting to leave once you turn 18. We are not legal experts here, but generally that is the age that you are considered to be an adult. This means that you are able to make the decision legally of where you would like to stay and who you would like to have a relationship with as well. Typically to consent to a relationship, you do not necessarily need to be considered an adult as the age of consent could be a younger age than what is considered to be an adult. You can get more information at sexetc.org on this topic. Please call us at 1800-RUNAWAY or live chat with us so that we can support you or talk more about this.

Best Wishes,
NRS

**XxGamerxx** · 11-21-2016, 09:24 PM

Advice?

Me and my best friend have big dreams, to live together move out etc. now that we are close to the age of 18 we are getting serious about it. We were looking at homes is Washington and Nevada, but what would be the best state to move to that is cheap and safe? We are just a couple of teenage girls that don't want trouble. How can we get there without our family tracking us down? We hate our families and want to leave asap. We make money now but that will not get us far in the big cities, what jobs should we get as a non college graduate? We want to have a little fun too!! How do we have fun but be conservative with our money?

**ccsmod2** · 11-22-2016, 01:21 AM

re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hello,

When you are 18 you are more than likely considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone. Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can.

Sincerely,
NRS

**Unregistered** · 01-15-2017, 09:01 PM

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

So I'm turning 18, 2 weeks after school starts next year, and I want to know if I can legally move out then? I'm looking for a job now and will be working starting this summer so I'll have money for an apartment but my Mustang was given to me by my mother so other than having money for rent I wont be able to drive to work or anything like that. I'm supposed to be moving in with my friend who is a year older than me because he also dislikes his parents and their strict rules. But do yall have any clue about the runaway laws in Texas and a good plan that fits my budget? My job will be at a gym so not much money to roll with. Oh and also a new phone so the phone bill will be another expense. Id really appreciate the help.

**ccsmod0** · 01-15-2017, 10:36 PM

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline.
It sounds like you have an exciting future ahead of you, but you have also have some questions about what to do and how to manage your living situation. These are some pretty important questions, and it would make sense if you feel some anxiety.
While we cannot provide any expert legal advice, it is true that once you turn 18 you are considered an adult and can move out. Even though you can move out that does not mean that moving out is easy. There are certainly a lot of expenses that come with living on your own. You will have to think about paying for your insurance, your rent, your transportation, your food, your phone, and probably some other things you have not even thought of just yet.
The good news is it sounds like you have a plan to live with someone. A lot of people who are new to living on their own move in with a roommate or friend to try to make their budget work. That has some pros and cons. You will be dependent on your friend or finding a new roommate, unless you make enough money to pay for your own place to stay.
We are not budget experts, and it would be impossible to speculate on how much money you need without knowing what your job is and how much you will be making. There are a lot of places that offer financial education and tips. Have you thought about asking your high school counselor/advisor, or seeing if your local insurance agency or community college offers free financial services? Also, many jobs offer their employees financial services, so if you start working maybe you can see how your employer can help you out.
It sounds like you are really excited to be independent, and that is awesome. Many people also come to find that being independent is challenging. What would it be like if you moved out, but still worked with your family to see if they could offer some support? Is that something that is possible? Also, it sounds like you will have a year of school to finish when you turn 18. What are your plans around school? Do you have any dreams about college or starting a career?
We would love to chat more in person or via our online chat. If you have any questions or thoughts you can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). It sounds like you have an exciting future, and we are here to support you if you need anything.

**Guest** · 02-05-2017, 04:30 AM

Okay. So I'll be 18 in august and I'm still in high school. I'm ready to move out when I turn 18 but I know my mom and dad will be totally against it. What is some good advice? And what can they do about it if I do say I'm moving out?

**ccsmod2** · 02-06-2017, 12:46 AM

Since you are 18 you are more than likely considered a legal adult which means that you can move out if you want to and you won’t be considered a runaway. As a legal adult, you have a right to make your own decisions about where you live. We can help you make a plan for how to deal with your situation and help you find resources to land on your feet. Having a plan for where you will live and how you will survive once you move out can be very helpful. Moving can be a huge step, and you don’t have to be alone. Some steps you can take towards independence might be to find employment if you don’t have an income, or to save up money for moving expenses. It can also be helpful to research rents in your area, find a roommate, or make a budget. Another thing you might want to consider is what kinds of things you depend on your parents for currently such as tuition expenses for school, or health insurance, and whether they would continue to provide those things after you leave. There may be social service agencies in your area that can help meet some of these needs, such as Transitional Living Programs, a kind of shelter where young adults can live and get services to help them transition to independent living. We are here to listen and help however we can. If you have any questions or thoughts you can call us 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat with us on our website.

NRS

**Guest** · 05-12-2017, 04:52 PM

Hello
I'm 20years old and I still live my mom I tried moving out when I was 18 but my mom won't let me I just want to settle down in my own home is there anything I can do to get out if her home and into my own

**Guest** · 07-18-2017, 01:14 PM

Hi I am 17 bout to be 18 August 1 and I would like to know can I move out at the age of 18 with out getting in any truble wit the police or anything like that bc my mother told me that if I tried to go any were she gone call the police and get me put in jail and I cant go no were all I do is just sit in the house all day or just come on the porch but if I leave on my birthday next month on the first and she call the police will they come take me back or to jail and I grown when i turn that age can i do what i won't with out having to tell anything ...........

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