18 but haven't graduated, can I leave home without consent

[Guest]

Im 18, and I haven't graduated yet, can I leave home without consent.

I'm in conneaut ohio.

[ccsmod15]

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.
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I'm turning 18 in 9 days. My parents and my councelor say that if im going to move I have to go to a school they approve of. And im unsure if thats a legal thing. But I live in neenah Appleton. I want to mpve to mediapplis iowa with my boyfriend and we have gotten plans for me to move out but are my parenta abpe to hold ke back because I'm halfway through school? I cant live there any longer. Theyre verbally and mentally abusive and if i stay any longer I know I will end up ending my own life. Being with them is not good to my mental health. Ive told my councelors this but they keep insisting i stay with my parents and graduate. Saying I'll make it through. I dont know what kind of people they are but theyre supposed to help me. Not make me stay in a place thats deteriorating my mental health. I dont know what to do. So many people are saying so many things.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now. It sounds like you’re fearing that the situation may end in suicide if things don’t change. Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

While we are not experts on the law, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.
If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe and stay strong,
NRS

[Guest]

Are you allowed to legally move out of a home at 18, even if they say your mentally insane

[ccsmod8]

Hello there -

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to reach out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline on our public forum. We are always here to listen and here to help in any way that we can. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot at home with and you're thinking that the best way to deal with that would be to leave.

Now we aren't legal experts here and you might have already read on this forum thread about what could happen if you were to leave home before the age of majority. So we won’t get into that since you can find it fairly easily. Usually a parent can petition the courts to have extended guardianship over their child, but they would have to prove that they child in question wasn’t able to take care of themselves in an adult capacity. Usually this means that they have some sort of mental and/or cognitive delay that makes functioning without help impossible. We aren’t sure if that's what you were referring to.

If you have a specific question that you can't find the answer to on here or maybe find a place to vent about what you are feeling right now, you can always call us. It’s hard to talk to just anyone one about what has been going on. Please rest assured that we are completing confidential. So anything that you share with us will stay between us. We don’t ask for any identifying information, unless you want to report any abuse. Please reach out via phone or even our online chat for more help.

Best of luck!

[Guest]

I’m 18 years old. I have been controlled by my parents my entire life, leaving me with no education on how anything in the adult world works. My boyfriend lives a state away. I have come to a conclusion that staying in this neglectful environment will not help me become a successful adult. My parents have ‘my car’ under their name and have the only money I have under their name. And that is how they keep me here.
I am trying to move out within the next week and a half. I am trying to move out with ‘my’ car at least. I put in to my school for a transfer already. I don’t know if there is any way behind getting my parents to allow me to move out. I was a very troubled child and teen. The past year has been focused on improving myself. I am afraid that they have some sort of trick up their sleeve to keep me here. I’m terrified. My 21 year old brother still lives at home, failed college and spends all of his money on fast food. I do not want to end up like my family. My mother is the main issue. Staying in this dirty environment will not help me become a successful adult. My boyfriend and his father(when I move in) are helping me with finances, school, food, shelter) I am completely terrified of the process of getting out of the house. It needs to happen this week. If they don’t allow me to have my car my boyfriend will have to drive here. I would prefer to take my car. But I’m scared my parents will try to hold me here still.
can my parents legally hold me in their home because I have a disability?
what is a way to approach parents who don’t want to let their child go?
I would appreciate some guidance, this is a hard thing to do when I have lived my entire life thinking I’m nothing without my parents.

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. We knkow it takes a lot of bravery and courage to open up and reach out, and we thank you for sharing all of this with us. First and foremost, we want you to know that you are not alone. We are here to listen and here to help.

You mentioned that you are feeling like your parents control every aspect of your life, not just financially, but emotionally and personally. It can be very difficult to learn how to grow up and become independent when the people in our life who are supposed to be helping us grow are having trouble doing so. You also wondered if your parents can legally hold you at home because you have a disability. We are not legal experts at the NRS, so we can only offer general information on this topic, but typically an 18-year-old is considered an adult, and therefore their parents would not legally be able to hold them at their house.

You’ve mentioned that you have had a difficult past and that you have focused a lot on improving yourself in this past year. It is clear through your writing that you are very emotionally mature and have already taken great strides to help yourself (working to transfer schools, talking with your boyfriend and his father to find a safer living environment, etc.). We hope you know that we are proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, too. You are right when you say that this is hard!

If you would feel comfortable, one thing that may be helpful is sitting down with your parents and having a conversation with them about how you are feeling at this point in your life, and what your goals and desires are at this point. Your parents may be unaware of how their behavior is affecting you, and having this conversation could help everyone get on the same page. If you feel uncomfortable having that talk alone, you can call us anytime and we can initate a conference call between you and your parents, and we would be there the whole time to mediate and make sure that it’s a safe environment for all of you to talk.

Speaking of calling us, we are available 24/7 over the phone at 1(800)786-2929 and through live chat at 1800runaway.org, and would love to talk with you further about your situation if you’re looking for more support. Reach out to us anytime, and we’d be happy to talk and assist you!

We’re wishing you the best of luck out there. Stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 16 and I ranaway for two days with being found at a 7-11 40 mins from my house nothing really happened when I got home some verbal yelling nothing crazy. I left cause I don't really wanna live with my family anymore I don't hate them. They just crazy short tempers I don't do anything to make em angry really just keep to myself and find no trouble to be in plus qurantine ain't helpin I gotta be with them all the time but its normal to me cause I spent most of my life in solitude but I just wanted to know I got 6 siblings 3 moved out but are 24/7 suvelliance watched across of the country that 2 live with me I wanted to know If I endure 2 more years of this I can move out the day I turn 18 I live in maryland. My mom don't ever let me go outside I wanted to play basketball at a court down the street from my neighborhood and she started balling up in tears and saying I was the reason she was going to die I didn't take mind to cause she always says that she started screaming im to much for her. She has a weird relationship with my dad she only wants money from him but he never home cause he always works my moms a refugee from kenya tbh I just want to know CAN I MOVE AT THE DAY I HIT 18 and I dont need my parents permission even If im in school.

[ccsmod8]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing your situation with National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We know that it takes a lot of courage to share your truth and you are so brave to do so with us. It sounds like there are a lot of challenges going on at home right now with your family and your mom. It must be difficult to be spending so much time at home with your family members because of the pandemic. We want to let you know that we fully support you and want you to feel comfortable, safe and happy at home. Your frustrations and desire to leave are valid given the stressful circumstances you are facing.

You mentioned wanting to leave home when you turn 18. In most states, you are considered an adult when you turn 18, meaning that you can make the decision to move out of your home without your parents' permission. Typically, you can still attend your school even if you move out of your family home, but it might be helpful to reach out to school staff to plan ahead. Whether you decide to leave home now or when you turn 18, it is important to plan how to take care of yourself, and we are here to discuss this and anything else you need support with.

We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. 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); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe, NRS

[Guest]

My daughter turned 18 in January and been dying to be this this no good weed smoking boy who quit school and been persuading my daughter who thinks she's in love to move with him and his parents last month, which she left without my permission and still in high school on line. She's supposed to graduate this year and messing up already which she may not be able to graduate this year is there anything I can do like to get her back home

[ccsmod15]

Hello, thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what has been going on. It sounds as if you are concerned about your daughter and her academics. We understand how upsetting it can be to have your daughter leave the home without your permission. However, we would like to inform you that we are not legal experts. In most states an individual that is 18 is considered an adult, although it can vary. You may want to check what the age of majority is in your current state. Something else you may like to consider is having a conversation with your daughter about your concerns and feelings. It may also be helpful to talk with someone from your daughter’s school, such as a counselor.

We are here to support you during this challenging time. We can best help you by telephone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice on the forum to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail, please call or chat us.

We can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786- 2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

All the best,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm 18 and I have a year left of highschool my mom won't allow me to move out until I graduate but she's mentally abusive and I want to move out I live in ks

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out. We are glad that you did. In Kansas, the age of majority is 18, meaning that you are a legal adult. Legally, you can leave and neither police nor anyone else can force you to go home.
You are welcome to come to our chat through this website or call us at 1-800-786-2929 (1-800-RUNAWAY) to discuss your plan for moving out.
Good luck, and we hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Can I move out at 18 I’ll be in a month and a half I’m living with my abusive mom which hits me and abuse me mentally she just gave me a broken nose two days ago an I’m looking to love out when I hit 18 but she says cause I haven’t graduated I can’t leave when I hit that I work and make plenty of money to survive on my own I live in Delaware…. Plz help

[ccsmod3]

Hello There,



Thank you for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It takes great courage to reach out for help, and we are glad that you have decided to reach out to us. It sounds like you are going through a difficult time and we want you to know that you are not alone.

What you have described seems abusive and we are sorry that you are having to go through that. You do not deserve to be treated that way, and you do have the right to file a report. One option would be to contact Child Help at: 1-800-422-4453, and they can help you file an abuse report. Or you can always call or chat with us and we would be able to help you make a report.

When you turn 18 you are considered an adult and you don’t need your mother’s approval to move out. If your mother doesn’t let you leave you have the right to call your local police department and they can assist you while you gather your belongings to leave in a peaceful manner. If you would like to leave the home now, it will be best to get your mother’s approval, if possible. If not you will be considered a runaway.

We hope that this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore more options please give us a call. We are available to you 24/7 to listen and to provide support through this challenging time.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button). If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.



Best of luck!

NRS

[Guest]

Hi, i turn 18 in 2 months. I’d like to move in with my girlfriend due to how things are at home. My mom said i won’t be allowed to even if i am 18. Apparently to be able to move out, i’d have to graduate first. is that true? Can my mom do anything regarding making me stay here if i am 18?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,

Thank you so much for reaching out to The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. We understand that things are difficult at home and we want you to know that you are not alone.

We are not legal experts but we do have some information about leaving home. Typically, in most states a person can leave home without permission once they turn 18, regardless if they are in school or not. So what that means is that you would most likely be able to leave home once you turn 18. To find out the best answer you can always call your local police department and they would be able to tell you if you can leave or not.

We hope that this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any questions or would like to explore more options, please give us a call. We are available to listen and to provide support 24/7, we wish you the best of luck!

NRS

[Guest]

I live in [...] Texas I will be 18 in nine and a half months, and I wish to move out the moment I do. My mother says I cannot move until I graduate. Can I leave the moment I turn 18?

[ccsmod15]

Thanks for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like you're looking to leave home as soon as possible. While we're not legal experts, 18 is the age of majority in Texas. That means that once you turn 18, you are legally considered an adult and you do not need your parent or guardian's permission to leave home.
Although there would not be any legal consequences for leaving home when you turn 18, there could still be personal or financial consequences. It could be helpful to use the time you have left to make a plan to have a safe place to stay, a way to make money to meet your basic needs like food and clothing.
It shows a lot of maturity that you are researching all your options before making your next move. We at NRS are here for you any time at 1-800-786-2929 if you'd like to talk through your situation or explore other options.

[Guest]

I'm 17 and I can't stand my mom being emotionally abusive to me she's the reason I tried killing myself I need to leave my home before I cause damage to myself I mean I've cut myself and somehow she knew about it what do I do?????

[ccsmod7]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your Mom's permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your Mom. The second way is through Child Protective Services (CPS) if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now. It sounds like you’re fearing that the situation may end in suicide if things don’t change. Your safety and well-being is important. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org is also a great resource to reach out to in addition to our crisis services.

Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This may be an isolating and lonely time for you, but you are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be Safe,
NRS

[Guest]

I'm planning on moving out when I turn 18 in about 2 months but I don't know if my parents will allow me to leave. At 18 am I able to call the cops and demand my legal documents then leave? I'm planning on transferring back to my old high school as well that is in a different state. Would I be able to legally move out without their consent as well as transfer schools if I get the legal documentation needed?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to NRS! We are here to help. We are not legal experts, however 18 is the legal age in most states to leave home without consent. The legal documents you may want to gather are your social security card, birth certificate , health insurance card and your state ID or license. The police will not have your legal documents. You can call your local social security office and ask them the process for obtaining a new social security card or if you know the number, you may not need the actual card. If you would like a new birth certificate, you can contact a local vital records office. The other option would be to ask your parents for all your documents. Thank you again for reaching out to NRS! We hope that this answer was helpful! Please reach out again at anytime or call us at 1-800-runaway.

[Guest]

I’m 18 and my boyfriend wants me to move in after Christmas but my siblings won’t let me is it okay if I move and they can do nothing about it?

[ccsmod15]

Hello, thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. In most of the states, the age of majority (no longer considered a minor) is 18, which means you would be able to leave home. There are a few states where the age of majority is over 18, but it is often a gray area for enforcement as it relates to running away. If you do decide to move in with your boyfriend, you may want to consider if it will create any challenges with attending school. Additionally, you may want to think about being able to support yourself if things do not work out or if you decide living separately is the best option. We hope that everything works out for you. If you would like to discuss this further, you are always welcome to call 1-800-Runaway (786-2929) or visit www.1800Runaway.org (live chat). Best of luck, NRS

[Guest]

If I’m a highschool senior homeschooled and I’m 18 do I have to stay living with parents until graduation in Oklahoma… or do you have to be 18 and graduate highschool first before moving out? Like does the law allow 18 year olds to move out or you have to be 18 and graduate

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Thank you for contacting us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We're glad you reached out and we're here to help you as much as we can.

Typically, once you are 18, you are considered a legal adult. That means you can move out of your parents home if you'd like to and you do not have to be graduated from high school in order to do so. NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance, so if you have other specific questions or want to talk in more detail about a situation, please call or chat soon. Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe and take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hey, I turn 18 in October and I want to bus down to Florida in December while I am on winter break can my mom stop me from doing so?

[ccsmod5]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We appreciate you reaching out. It sounds like you want to travel to Florida after you turn 18.

Depending on what state you are located, the age of majority or when a person becomes a legal adult is 18 years old. We are not legal expert and seems like you could travel as an adult We want to make sure you are safe and if you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Again, we are here as support to help and please contact us any time.

National Runaway Safeline

[email protected] (Crisis Email)

1-800-RUNAWAY (24 Hour Hotline)

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