Can I move out 2 months before I turn 18?

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're sorry to hear about all that has been going on and want you to know that you deserve to feel safe and happy in your home. We are not legal experts but generally speaking, if you leave while still 17, your mom could file a runaway report and you could be returned home, even if it's only a month before you are 18. There could also be legal consequences for your boyfriend or whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a minor. One thing you can do is reach out to your local police to inquire how they handle runaway reports for 17 year olds. Some cities and departments treat them differently because a 17 year old is so close to becoming a legal adult. It could be the case that yours would be treated differently because a month would be so close. The way to get the most accurate information would be to call your local police non-emergency number and anonymously inquire about their practices. If you need help finding this number or want help thinking through ways to make it one more month, we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Best,

NRS

I'm 17 and I want to know if I can move out a month before I turn 18. I would have finished my senior year and I have a place to go. My boyfriend and I have been struggling for 2 years with my mothers crazy and unstable mind. I can't take the abuse much long as it's driving me further and further into depression and stress is causing health issues. I've got 10 months and I want to get emancipated so bad, but my mind is at war with itself. What if it doesn't work and she makes my life even worse by cutting off the only time I can escape her to my boyfriends house. Please help.

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. We're sorry to hear about all that you have been going through and want you to know that you deserve to feel safe and happy in your home. It seems like you are very independent and responsible, but it would be hard to not receive help and to be scolded by your parents when you do so much. You also mentioned wanting to leave your home before you are 18. We are not legal experts but generally speaking, if you leave while still 17, your parents could file a runaway report and you could be returned home. There could also be legal consequences for whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a minor. One thing you can do is reach out to your local police to inquire how they handle runaway reports for 17 year olds. Some cities and departments treat them differently because a 17 year old is so close to becoming a legal adult. The way to get the most accurate information would be to call your local police non-emergency number and anonymously inquire about their practices. If you need help finding this number or you want to walk through any other options with a liner, we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). We could try to talk through how you could cope for a few more months until you are 18 and legally able to move out or if the police says they won't return you if you leave, we can help you talk through that option as well.

Stay safe,

NRS

I'm about to be 18 in 4 months I understand that my parents are in "charge" of me until I am 18 but I'm nothing but a overworked person who is trying her hardest I love my parents but sometimes they don't see me as a human just property my mother has said this to me and posted that she vonsiders me as property on Facebook I go to work and make my own money that my mother asks for and when I don't give her it she yells at me calls me names and threatens me I pay my own bills except rent other than that I'm providing everything else for myself because my parents refuse to provide anything for me except a roof over my head I cook clean and go to work I pay my phone bill my Netflix bill i pay for all clothing items also any hygiene items and I even have to pay for my own food majority of the time because they refuse to get up and spend there money on it unless its for them there are two other legal adults as well living in the house and one has put his hands on me and I'm threaten by both my mother and my brother who is 18 I live in New York but I only have people in Florida to take me in is it illegal for me to leave new York and go to florida without permission from my parents idk how to go about this situation because I care but I'm just so over tired all the time and cant deal with being yelled at or threatened in a place I'm suppose to feel safe at I have a lobing caring christian family who wants to take me out of this situation but does not want to get into trouble because they have 4 kids of they're own and I have a single mother of 2 who also wants to help me but has the same concerns both are in Florida

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We are not legal experts but generally speaking, if you leave while still 17, your dad could file a runaway report and you could be returned home. There could also be legal consequences for whomever you stay with for what is called harboring a minor. One thing you can do is reach out to your local police to inquire how they handle runaway reports for 17 year olds. Some cities and departments treat them differently because a 17 year old is so close to becoming a legal adult. The way to get the most accurate information would be to call your local police non-emergency number and anonymously inquire about their practices. If you need help finding this number, we can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). If you are able to make it until you are 18, you would legally be able to live wherever you'd want as well.

Good luck,

NRS

Hi, I turn 18 in two months and I leave for Air Force basic training on July 31st. I’m not happy at home, my dads very controlling over what I do and is trying to restrict me on everything, and he’s also very mean at times. He has custody over me, but my mom says I can live with her until I leave, and (ex) my step dad says I can live with him also. When I told my dad I wanted to move out he told me I couldn’t and that I wasn’t allowed to leave. If I left to my moms without consent or him knowing could I get in trouble or forced back to my fathers house?

[ccsmod4]

Reply: Hi my parents told me I have to move out before my birthday

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We are not legal experts here at NRS but here are a couple options you might explore to get help about your situation.
You might consider asking your parents for a written agreement granting you permission to move out before you turn 18 and have it notarized to avoid any issues with the police. You might also consider contacting your local police department’s non-emergency number and simply asking them what consequences if any would someone face moving out of their parents home two weeks shy of their 18^th birthday.
If you would like to speak more about your situation give us a call at 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org (live chat).

Good luck,
NRS

Hi my parents told me I have to move out before my birthday . My birthday is July 9 if I move out two weeks before that can I get arrested in AZ?

[ccsmod5]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation and no one ever deserves to be degraded or threatened. Since you are a minor, you would still technically need guardian consent to leave home. Your grandfather would still have the right to file a runaway report with the police and the police could still return you home. That being said, it’s possible that your local police would not bother pursuing you because of your age. To find out for certain (since we are not legal experts), you might want to call your local non-emergency police line to ask about their protocol for 17 year olds who leave home.
Thank you again for reaching out. We hope this was helpful and we encourage you to reach out by phone if you need additional resources or need help figuring out your options. Our number is 1-800-786-2929 and our lines are always open. If you have a moment, we'd appreciate your feedback of our crisis services at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

Stay safe!

Hi. I'm 17 and turn 18 in 2 months. I have a job and have had it for a year. I want to leave home because I constantly get degraded and threatened with the police. I live with my grandfather and I feel like he wants to trap me here... can I leave?

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us to help you decide about this situation. It sounds like you’re going through a lot at home and are thinking of leaving. This is surely a difficult time for you, and we’re sure you’ve been enduring a lot. Hopefully we can help.

We’re not legal experts, so what we tell you may not apply in your community, even if it applies in most of the U.S. In Virginia, the age of majority is 18, so you are still considered a minor, and if you leave home without parental permission, you can be considered a runaway. This would happen if your parents filed a runaway report on your behalf. Usually, if a runaway report is filed on a youth, the police are authorized to search for the youth and return them home. In most parts of the U.S., running away is not illegal and won’t result in a youth getting arrested or fined. Adults who you stay with could be charged for harboring a runaway, which is a very rare charge, but a charge you may want to know about. Penalties for this charge vary widely across the U.S.

Hopefully this helped. Thanks so much for reaching out to us. If you have any questions or want to talk more, please call us at 1-800-786-2929.

Best,
NRS

HI I'm aja Im going to be 18 in 5 months and I hate being home I would like to know can I leave now I live in Virginia by the way

[ccsmod6]

Thanks for writing to NRS, and it sounds like a lot is going on.
Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse is unacceptable. You do not deserve to be scared of your parents and treated that way. Reporting abuse directly to the police is one option, or you can also share what happened with other mandated reporters such as a doctor, nurse, teacher, coach and counselor. Also, NRS can help advocate on your behalf, for example joining you on a phone call with the appropriate agency – if you are comfortable with that.
Wanting to kill yourself is serious, not something parents should laugh at. If you are thinking about self-harm, please call 911 or NRS 1-800 RUNAWAY (786-2929) or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
You asked about consequences if leave home while 17. Laws differ by state. Typically a parent or guardian is responsible for a minor until age 18 – unless directed otherwise by a court. And if a 17 year old runs away, police response may include reuniting the youth with the parents/guardians and status offenses. NRS can help you get answers to legal question, through a network of legal resources.
You are scared and want to leave. Please talk to us at NRS about how that feels and let’s explore options.

I’m 17, my birthday is in October, I was going to leave my home in July, a few months before I turn 18 to live with my boyfriend who’s 19, we’ve been together 5 years. My parents have abused me and sexually abused me, they’ve sent me to hospitals and laugh at me when I tell them I wanted to kill my self. I’m ready to leave but I’m scared if I go to early they will hunt me and take me back. I know if you leave not to late from turning 18 the cops won’t bother trying to take you home because you will be 18 soon and leave anyways . I just need help should I wait a month untill I turn 18? I’m just scared and need advice I’m not staying here till I’m 18, I can’t.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: On 11-12-2017

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.
We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Some situations can be disappointing and even upsetting thus making things uncertain about what to do or where to turn.

We understand and we want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
You have many questions that would probably be best considered to discuss by calling or chatting with one of our crisis liners.
If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or www.1800Runaway.org.

Again tell us what it is you would like us to help you with and we will be happy to explore some options with you.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS