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

I'm 18 and graduating in May, And I live in Indiana, Am I legally allowed to move out?

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. As far as we understand, you are legally an adult and have the right to live where you please as well as enroll yourself in school. However, you may have to live in a particular area to enroll in your particular school. While we think that you should be able to move out and not get kicked out of school, you may want to check with someone in your school’s administration to make sure. If you have any other questions or want to talk more about what’s going on, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

If I'm an 18 year old senior and open enrolled in a school in Ohio, can I move out without me getting kicked out of my school?

[ccsmod13]

Hello, 

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. We are not legal experts, but we can share some general information. When an individual turns 18 (the age of majority), they are considered a legal adult. This means that they can decide where they live and do not need parental consent to leave home. Being in high school would not necessarily affect this. 

We hope this answers your question. If you or your child have any other questions or need support during this time, do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We are available 24/7 at 800-786-2929 and by chat at 1800runaway.org. 

Good luck, 
NRS

can my 18 Year old move out if she is still in high school in indiana.

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out.

In most states, regardless of whether or not you have completed high school, you become a legal adult at 18. As a legal adult you can make your own life decisions including where you live and whether or not you want to continue your education. One thing to consider is where you would live and how you would survive without your parent's assistance. If you call or chat us, we can help you talk through possible options and resources if you need help making a plan for moving out: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best,

NRS

My mom said even if I’m 20 or something I have to graduate to be able to move out of her house is that true? Also if I’m 21 or an age over 18 and I’m still in school and I wanted to drop out would I need my moms permission to drop out?

[ccsmod13]

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for reaching out to NRS. It sounds like your parents are putting a lot of pressure on you and its been exhausting. It sounds frustrating to be making all of the right choices but still not have trust from your parents. You know your situation best and when leaving will be a good option for you.

Because you are 18, you are considered a legal adult and can choose where you live. This means that if you do decide to live with your friend instead of your parents, you would not get into any trouble. We are here 24/7 if you feel like you need to talk more in-depth about your decision to leave and your next steps. Do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-786-2929 or use our online chat services at 1800runaway.org.

Good luck,
NRS

Hello,, my name is Anthony

I am 18 now, and I I’m not in a abuse home or anything like so. But I do have over protective parents... I mean I get it they want to keep me safe and all, but they always think of the worst when it comes to me. For example, if I want to go out with friends I have to tell my parents 2 weeks in advance and they have to know who am I going to hang out with and where and who are their parents, but with all of that they still over think the situation, that probably I’m going to do something illegal and I’m lying to them about where I’m going and who I’m with. It’s makes me sad how my parents look down on me like that. And I’m still in high school in New Jersey, I really want to move out and one of my Friend’s parents are willing to give me a room and to help me on my feet. But I do feel like it’s the best for me, but I’m scared that the school can say something and I can get in trouble in a way. I don’t know what to do at this point I’m stuck.

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

We're sorry there are some issues with your grandparents in relation to your desire for more independence. There is no legal reason why you would be forced to live with your grandparents at 18, nor do they have any legal authority to force a breakup between you and your girlfriend. So you are in a position where you could leave home and move in with your girlfriend if you want to. Of course, that's still a big decision to make. Perhaps there is a way for you to get what you want while still maintaining ties with your grandparents. Whatever you decide, we are here for you if you'd like to talk about it. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY and we are nonjudgmental and confidential. You can also chat with us via the chatroom option at the top of the following webpage: www.1800runaway.org.

Good luck!
NRS

Hi I’m 18 and I live with my grandparents in the state of Connecticut. They won’t let me leave even though it’s legal here. The only reason why they want me here is because they want me to clean and do yard work. They don’t treat me every good and I would like to move in with my girlfriend soon. But the problem is that they don’t like her is it possible for them to make us break up?

[ccsmod2]

Hello There,
Thank you for contacting The National Runaway Safeline, we are here to help and here to listen. It sounds like you are going through a really difficult time right now. No one deserves to be abused, and we are sorry you are going through that. If you would like to make an abuse report you can contact The Child Help: 1800-422-4453. We know that sometimes it can be scary to make an abuse report if you would like our help please give us a call.
We are not legal experts but we do have general information on the laws. If you were to leave home without permission your legal guardian does have the right to file a runaway report. If the police do find you they most likely would bring you home.
We hope this information will be helpful to you in your situation. If you have any other questions or would like to explore your options more please give us a call. We are here 24/7 to listen and to provide support. We wish you the best of luck!
NRS

Hi. I will be 18 in a few months and I was wondering about wether or not I could legal move out of my mothers house. My mother is verbally and emotionally abusive and I was thinking about moving back in with my father. My mother lives about 10 miles away form my father but since i live in such a large town I would have to go to a different school if I moved in with my father. My father doesn’t want me suffering at my mother house but I feel like he would send me back to my mothers till I graduate. (I still have my senior year left). I was thinking about moving in with a friend that lives nearby my fathers house and I was wondering if that is okay? If my mother could somehow made me come back home once I left or something like that.

I am also worried since I would technically be living in the same city maybe my parents would find me and force me to go back to live with them. My father once told me that If I moved out and lived with a friend he would kinda like kidnap me and bring me back to live with him.

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out for your daughter. Sounds like she is in a really rough situation living in a controlling environment with dad and experiencing emotional abuse. It's clear that you care a lot for her and want to see her out of that situation.

Generally, it's really hard to say how police would respond since your daughter will be 18 so soon. You might reach out to local police by her dad and ask about how they would handle the situation if she does need to leave now. It's possible they could take a runaway report for her and return her home if found. It is also possible that they would not take a runaway report or they would not return her home.

We are not legal experts so we cannot really inform you of your court options with gaining custody of her. Sorry about that. If you call or chat us, we can look for legal aid resources in your area that might be able to better direct you. Please call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY or chat us at www.1800runaway.org.

You might also give your daughter our information. We can talk through her situation with her, provide support, and help brainstorm her options.

Thanks again for reaching out for her, please call or chat if you would like to have a conversation about the situation.

Best,

NRS

My oldest daughter is 17, & will turn 18 in 3.5 months. Her dad was awarded custody over her and her younger sister. Recently, she shared with me that she feels like a "prisoner in her own home". She says that she can't ever go hang out with her friends, she can't work (because while they want her to be able to work, they won't help provide transportation), they don't want her to get her driver's license, and they even have her sharing location on her phone so they can keep close watch of exactly where she is at all times. Her sister is active in band, but they won't even help *her get to/from band activities... They always tell her that she has to find a ride from a friend, making it hard for her to participate in extra curricular activities. My oldest daughter also said that they are always nagging her about being on the phone with ME (her mother) when I try to call and talk to her.

In the past, I tried to ask her dad to let them come live with me when they expressed interest & he said no after he convinced them to change their minds.

I feel that they are in a very unhealthy and toxic environment at their home, & feel that they are being (over) controlled, trapped, and possibly abused (emotionally & mentally). My youngest can rarely even go to church when she requests, because they say that "she isn't a good enough Christian & don't think she's going for right reasons; Even though she's a great kid, minds, never tries to do bad things, both girls are in AP & have been in AP or pre AP classes for the last 3 to 4 yrs making great grades.

HELP! How can I LEGALLY help my oldest daughter get out of that house before she turns 18. She also said that her dad told her that if she chooses to go to college in the city I live in, he will never allow her in his house ever again.

We're desperate, and need help to see what we can do without getting either of us in trouble with the law.. Or the court order.
Other than trying to change custody papers, what can we do?