Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

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Hello, I'd like to remain anonymous so I shall take up the part of the person who I want to help, and I don't want too much details given.
I am curious exactly what the laws are for the state of Michigan for runaways. If I turn 18 before Summer (June 1st I guess you could say) and would like to move out what will happen? How can I pay for an apartment and how will it work all legally speaking? Can I move out of state? Also.. what will happen if I don't tell my parents really, for.. if they would know even the slightest bit I truly would have no chance of moving out. It's very hard to even plan this.. for my parents are rather very over-protective and constantly watch over and must monitor every single thing. I will be seeking a summer job and hopefully college isnt affected too much by this, but if so I will plan to go later on. Maybe I might even start it one semester late.

My birthday is still months away but before summer. Last questions would be: What would happen if my parents filed a runaway report at 18? At my current age right now? (17) And is there any services that can help make this an easier thing (after moving out) to talk to my family about?
And what can I do now to move out legally? I don't want emancipation because that would require my parents knowing way ahead of time of me moving out and would only hurt them more. I don't want to hurt my parents much.. but moving out and later trying to figure things out with them will be the only way. I cannot say much more, but there's a whole lot more to this. Thanks!

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Thank you for reaching out to us and telling us about what is going on. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation right now and it’s great that you are trying to find answers for your questions before you leave home. Here at the National Runaway Safeline, we are not legally trained so we can’t say for sure what would happen if you were to leave home but we are confidential and anonymous. Hopefully we can give you some general ideas of what could happen and try to help you find some resources that can fill in the rest of the answers.

It sounds like you will be turning 18 towards the end of the spring and want to move out after that. Again, we aren’t legally trained here but it is our understanding that once a youth turns 18, they are considered to be an adult. That means that if you were to leave home, your parents wouldn’t be able to file a runaway report or force you to return home because the police and the state would view you as an adult. You mentioned that your parents are over protective of you and would not allow for you to leave if they knew what you were planning. Can you tell us more about your relationship with them? It sounds like there is a lot going on between you and your parents but it may be helpful for us to give you the best resources that can help you if you felt comfortable talking about it.

It also sounds like you are interested in moving out before turning 18 but you don’t want to become emancipated because your parents will become aware of it. Unfortunately, emancipation is the only legal way to leave home before turning 18. Otherwise, in most states, if you leave home you may be considered a runaway and your parents may have the option to file a runaway report. How the police respond to a runaway report varies from department to department so we can’t say for sure what would happen. However, it is our general understanding that if there is a report and the police locate you, they may either take you back home or take you to the police department and call your parents to let them know where you are.

If you would like to talk more or if you are interested in resources that may be able to help you out, you can reach us 24 hours a day at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) but we also have online chat services that are available from 4:30 PM-11:30 PM (CST), 7 days a week and those can be found on our website (www.1800runaway.org).

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!

~NRS

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I'll be using the chat service soon anonymously after it turns 4:30.

My parents monitor everything I do. Internet access is restricted very and phone is monitored too. There's no tv in the house basically since everything is under teen age censored. I'm not allowed to visit any friends except for maybe 2 or 3 whom it still takes a lot to just get out of the house. Anyone who might even have a tiny bit of bad influence, (my parents are very judemental, so they even suspect people who aren't bad to automatically that they want to hurt me) I have sibling(s). I cannot say how much because I'm very scared I'd be completely in severe trouble if found out I posted here. I will refer to sibling(s) as X. X is treated better than I am. I'm the oldest sibling. Very recently my tech items were all taken away because I texted a friend whom is "suspected" by my parents to be bad.All I did was ask a question. I get taken advantage of a lot because I don't like to be mean to people and all I do is get hurt ever. My emotional situation is very bad. I cannot say much.. but I'm alright only because I have found a person who helps me. This person is "suspected" to be bad too.. a lot, even though honestly I've known this person for a long time and this person is super sweet and isn't a troublemaker.

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re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hi again,

It sounds like your parents are very strict and really follow everything you do. It seems like you are feeling trapped at home. We’re glad to hear that you have support from a close friend who you trust. Sometimes that can make all the difference.

You mentioned that you are going to chat with us shortly. Just so you know, we are anonymous and confidential so we wouldn’t be contacting your parents unless you wanted us to do so (and it doesn’t sound like you do). You can chat with us now if you’d like, there are people standing by. You can chat with us anytime between 4.30pm-11.30pm Central Time. We look forward to talking more through chat.

Good luck to you,

NRS

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Yes, I wouldn't like contact to parents at all. That would only hurt me a million times more. The chat helped a little, and the person who's helping me truly is helping. The parents make me feel like I'm being a bad child though, even though I do everything right, do all the chores, and am trapped anyways so can't really do anything bad even if I wanted to. They don't appreciate everything I do.. and sometimes see that I feel saddened, angered, etc. but I try to hide it so they don't see it often. I know it'll hurt the family, just if it stays like this (which sounds like they reallyyy... truly.. want me to stay till im in my late 20's) it'll hurt me so much I just.. WON'T be able to take it anymore. At all. I've been lookng online and I cannot call any legal agency or anything. Another friend (which I don't talk to very often as well, for she/he is a "bad influence" too) tells me her/his friends have ranaway from home at 17 and the cops didn't bring them back. She/he tells me the same thing too. I trust her/him .. just her/his spot is different for the parents didn't really call in a runaway. They knew she/he left. Websites have been saying my state considerds 17 neither a minor or adult. Adult is 18+ and that minor is under 17. Many sources have been debating though whether the cops would do something and most say no. Some do say Yes occassionally though. I'm kinda confused on if I'd be treated like a victim.. or a criminal.. or if no one would care and let me just be.

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re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hi again,

It seems like you feel comfortable reaching out for some guidance and that is admirable.

If you have contacted NRS today through another means (for example, live chat, email or bulletin) for the same issue, it would be helpful to let us know that you have already contacted us. NRS understands it takes courage to reach out for help; therefore, we would like to minimize the need for you to repeat your situation and avoid offering you duplicate services.

We look forward to talking more through our hotline or our chat service (www.1800runaway.org). Good luck to you,

NRS

[Unregistered]

anonymous

Okay so I don't wanna put all my buissness out there I just need some answers....I'm going to 18 in April 15 and I'm just wondering since I'll be 18 soon and I would like to move in with a friend of mine is that okay?? Because my parents are very strict and I can no longer take it anymore I would like to move out but with my friend and I would be going job corp as non resident I will provide for myself too I just have a feeling if I move out my parents like to threat and call the cops but last time I checked when your 18 your consider as a in a adult and plus no crime was committed I don't seem why would they threat to call police if I want to move out......as a young adult speaking the truth yeah I made some mistakes in my life by not going by the rules but I just had it up to here cuz no matter what I try to do to fix my mistakes by showing them I can responsible they will never change their minds they are constantly I guess you can stalking me pretty much and I hadit iI wanna live with someone else and this person happens to show a lot of attention and love something i don't get a lot from home by the way I live in chicago I hope you can help me

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re: anonymous

Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to us! I’m sorry to hear that things are not going well at home, but it sounds like you are looking forward to moving in with your friend. We’re glad that you were able to reach out to us, it is very mature of you to take matters into your own hands.

So, from what you are sharing, it seems like you are trying to move forward with your life and do the right thing for yourself. Unfortunately, we are not legal experts here, but typically when someone is as close to 18 as you are, the police will not track them down even if their parents file a runaway report. The best way to know what your local police force will do is to call their non-emergency number and ask. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, you can go ahead and give us a call and we would be able to call the police station with you and help you figure this out.

If you have any questions, or there is anything else you would like assistance with, please give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We are here 24/7. Best of luck to you! We wish you the best of luck in whatever it is you decide to do.

Stay strong,

NRS

[Unregistered]

I want to leave home when I'm 18

I'm 17 and going to turn 18 in little under a year and I want to leave home when I do. I'm applying for a job and hope to get enough money for an apt but I would like to know if my parents would be able to file a runaway report on me?? I just don't feel all that welcome at my house.

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Re: I want to leave home when I'm 18

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are going through a tough situation, no one deserves to feel unwelcome in their own home. We can help you figure out some solutions to what you are going through. We're here to support you.

Running away is not illegal, it is a status offense. You are legally allowed to leave the home at the age of 18 since you are considered an adult. If you decide to leave before you turn 18, there is a chance that your parents can file a runaway report. If you are caught by the police, they will take you back home. Another thing to think about is if you runaway and decided to stay with someone, that person can be criminally charged for harboring a runaway youth.

We are glad to hear that you are planning your future out and looking for employment, that is an accomplishment to be proud of. One option that we can help you with is conference calling, if you feel like you need to communicate with your parents about what is going on but having a difficult time, we can be the mediators in the conversation. We can also provide you with some other resources to help answer your questions, or if you would just like to talk. We encourage you to call us at 1800-786-2929 if you would like to talk further about your situation.

Good luck and stay safe,
NRS

[Unregistered]

I want to move out at 18.

Hi , I don't turn 18 for another 4 more months so I'm still 17 at the moment but , I want to move out on my birthday (18th). That's okay right?

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Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Hello there,

Thank you for posting to our online forum. We aren’t legal experts here, but in most places you are able to move out at age 18. There are a few states where you are still considered a minor until the age of 19 or 21 (Nebraska, Alabama, and Mississippi). Some police districts, parents and guardians can still report their 18 year old child as a runaway if they haven’t graduated from high school, but in the majority of places that’s not the case. If you wanted to know for sure about your area, you could call your police non-emergency line and ask what that age is for whereyou live.

We hope this information is useful and hope that you reach out to use directly through phone or online chat is you want to discuss your situation in more detail. We know there’s a lot to think about when leaving home for the first time at any age and we would be happy to support you through that here at the National Runaway Safeline.

Best,
NRS

[Unregistered]

Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

I have a question. I am 18 now and I want to move out but my mom said because she has custody of me and I also am still in high school that I couldn't move out. Is this true?

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Re: Turning 18 soon and want to move out legally

Thank you for using our bulletin service.
It’s great that you are looking into what rights you have as an 18 year old.
We here at NRS are not legal experts but we can speak generally about laws in most states.

In most states youth are of legal age at 18. Depending on what state you live in depends if your mother still has custody rights or not. That being said if you do live within one of these states where the majority age is 18 then you have the right to move out even if you are still completing high school. If you need help finding out what age you are considered an adult in your state you can contact your local police department.

We hope that this has answered your question and if you have any more questions or concerns you can give us a call at 1-800-Runaway. We are available 24/7 and are completely confidential.

[Unregistered]

moving out

Hi. I live in Kentucky and I am under guardianship of my aunt. My home life isn't all that great. I am treated poorly and my birthday is may 9th am I able to move out that day without any legal issues?