Moving out at 18 in Alabama

[Unregistered]

Hi, I'm 17, soon to be 18, and I want to know if it would be legal for me to move out on my birthday in a few weeks. I already have a place to stay with my boyfriend of 3 years and have been employed for almost a year now. The age of majority is 19, but I've heard of many people moving out at 18. My parents want me to wait until graduation, at least, and have forbid me from moving out on my birthday. Would I get in trouble for moving out sooner without their permission or should I wait? I also have been living with my grandpa for months and don't even have a room in their new apartment. I don't see what the problem would be if I moved out now, since I don't really even live with them.

[ccsmod0]

Re: Moving out at 18 in Alabama

Hello,
Thank you for writing to the National Runaway Safeline.

It sounds like you have a really great support from your boyfriend and are having a hard time trying to get your parents on board with you moving out with him.

We here at NRS are not legal experts but we can speak generally about your situation. If you were to move out before your 19th birthday without your parents’ permission. They have the right to file a runaway report and at that point your boyfriend or whoever you are staying with can be charged with harboring a runaway. If at any time they decide that you have to live back with them, by law you do, even though you are currently living with your grandpa.

We know this may not be what you want to hear but if you have any more questions feel free to contact your local police department or give us a call here at 1-800-RUNAWAY

[Guest]

Hello,

I'm 18 and want to move out and live with my best friend. My parents are trying to prevent me by using the excuse that they are legally responsible for me if something was to happen to me. If I chose to move out on my own would they still be held responsible for me?

Thank you

[ccsmod7]

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your parents are trying to protect you, but you do deserve autonomy and independence. It is mature to be seeking answers and knowing more information before making such big decision. We will do our best to answer your question, but must preface that were are NOT legal experts, therefore contacting a local law office or police department, would be the best options for getting legal counsel on the laws in your area and state.

Most states follow the federal mandate the any person 18 years or older is considered an adult, however Mississippi, Nebraska, and Alabama have state laws dictating an older age as the age of majority. How lenient or strict the laws in these states are is not something we can safely comment on and must defer to local legal counsel or law enforcement.

If you live in a state that is not listed by name above, you are considered an adult and are allowed to take legal responsibility for yourself. We hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Best of luck!

[Guest]

A friend that lives in Alabama moved in with us she is 18 we are in Louisiana. Her grandma called us and wanted her to come down here because her mom is dealing with some issues also her aunt's are glad and want her to be here will we get in trouble

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. It is great to hear that you are such a supportive friend that you are advocating on her behalf. Your friend is very lucky to know you. While we are not legal experts, we do have a great deal of experience working with runaways. It is our understanding that the legal age of majority in Alabama is 19. Therefore, in the state of Alabama, your friend would be considered a minor despite not being a minor in Louisiana. So long as she is a minor, her mother is entitled to file a runaway report with the police. Should she do so, the police are typically then entitled to notify the guardian and take the youth home if they encounter her. Additionally, if her mother has the resources, she can take whoever is sheltering the youth to court for “harboring a runaway”, which is usually considered a misdemeanor offense. Given the fact that she is out of state, it may be more difficult to pursue a runaway report or return her home based on the distance she is from her mother. Also, if her mother does not file a runaway report and knows where your friend is, then we would be surprised if you got in any legal trouble.

If you have any further questions or would like to talk in greater detail about what is going on, please don’t hesitate to call us on our 24/7 hotline 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I want to move out at 18. I have a place to stay with my boyfriend who is helping me sign up for online schooling. My mother has said she won't stop me from moving out but if I get pregnant she said she would "beat" me. She can be very hateful sometimes. Would I get in trouble for moving out even if the age of majority in alabama is 19?

[ccsmod10]

Thank you for telling us your story and reaching out. It can be difficult telling others what has happened to you. We want you to know that no one deserves to be threatened with abuse, and you should not have to go through that. If you haven’t already, you could consider reporting the abuse you’ve been experiencing. If you want more information about abuse reporting or if you want to file a report, you could call Child Help at 1-800-422-4453.

We’re not legal experts here at NRS. Generally it’s not illegal to leave home, but your parents could file a runaway report, the police could get involved, and they could bring you home. The people you’re staying with could potentially get in trouble for having you stay there without your parents’ permission. You could consider calling your local nonemergency police department to ask about their policies. We also have legal aid resources here if you have specific questions about the laws in your state.

One service we can offer is to conference call with your parents. This way you could have a conversation with your parents but you would not be alone. For example, it may be hard for you to explain to your mom how the hurtful things she says effect you. Sometimes those conversations go better in a conference call because we can advocate for you. If you want to reach us, you can chat with us anytime at 1800runaway.org or call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. We’re here 24/7, and we are ready to listen and help however we can.

[Guest]

I am 18 years old and when I graduated high school I got an apartment with my boyfriend. My mother did not have to give consent written consent or sign anything for me to move into the apartment. At the time my mom was okay with my moving in and she supported my decision. My name is on the lease and I do pay bills at the apartment. My boyfriend and I got into a fight and I moved back in with my mom for a couple of weeks. My boyfriend and I are back together and though I am not ready to move back in I do want to spend the night sometimes. My mom no longer wants us together so she will not let me see him anymore. My mom told me that if I left the house she would fill a runaway report. I do not want to get in any legal trouble but can she technically do this since my name is on the lease and it is my apartment? She said she could do that because she never gave any written permission but I do not know if she is just trying to scare me so I won't leave.

[ccsmod4]

I am 18 years old

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Just so that you know we are not legal experts and only can provide some general legal information when it comes to someone running away or someone assisting/aiding a person running away.
Someone under 19 that leaves home in the state of Alabama, the parent/guardian may be able to file them as a runaway and they may be returned home. Also, those that a reported runaway stays with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. Anyone found to be assisting or aiding someone to run away may also find themselves at risk legally. For more specifics on the law, you might consider contacting the local non-emergency number for the police. You might also look for a legal aid center in the area. They may be able to answer any legal questions on the subject.

If you would like to talk more in detail we are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).


Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Can I legally move out of my parent's house at age 18?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today.

In most states you can legally move out at 18, since it is typically the majority age or age you become an adult. However in Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi they have older majority ages. If you live in one of those states, you might reach out to local police to see if it is possible for you to move out without being listed as a runaway.

We hope that information is helpful. Please call or chat us if you would like to talk through your sitation: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

So I am 17 nearing the age of 18, I live in alabama. If I were to move to illinois which the legal age is 18 not 19. Could I get in trouble if I am 18?

[ccsmod3]

In most states you can legally move out at 18, since it is typically the majority age or age you become an adult. However in Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi they have older majority ages. If you live in one of those states, you might reach out to local police to see if it is possible for you to move out without being listed as a runaway.

We hope that information is helpful. Please call or chat us if you would like to talk through your sitation: 1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org. Best of luck.

[Guest]

I am 17 and am about to turn 18 in a month. Once I do so am I able to move out of my parents home and into my grandparents home without me getting in trouble? Also my parents take my money from my job and do what they want to do with it, and my step father grabbed my neck the other day. Can I move out and still receive benefits?

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out today and telling us a bit about what’s going on with your mom. We’re always here for you and will help in any way we can. You’re not alone in this, please feel free to chat with us on our website or call into our safeline if you’d like to talk more.

We are so sorry that your step-dad is hurting you. You absolutely don’t deserve to be in an abusive household. The way you’re being treated is not acceptable. You deserve to be loved and to feel safe. If you want to report your step-dad for the abuse, Child Help (800) 422-4453 or www.childhelp.org is always available, as are we. Unfortunately, the age of majority (where you’re considered a legal adult) is 19 in Alabama. If you try to leave before you turn 19 it would be considered running away. We can try to get you connected with some legal aid resources, they may know about options for you to be able to move out early. We are here to brainstorm with you and help you in any way we can.

If you feel like running away is your best option, then we are also here to make sure you stay safe. We can look to see if there’s any runaway shelters in your area, if you want to give us a call or chat with us.

Again, thanks for reaching out to us, it was very brave. Please call or chat with us on our website if you’d like to talk more about what’s going on at home. There may be options or other resources that could help you. You’re not alone!

Stay strong, NRS

[Guest]

If i move out when I’m 18 to a different state what would happen

[ccsmod13]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the National Runaway Safeline. While we are not legal experts by any means, we can speak generally on this. The age of majority is the age at which you are considered a legal adult with the legal freedom to choose where you live. In most states the age of majority is 18, but it is older in Alabama(19), Nebraska(19) and Mississippi(21). If you live in one of these three states then you would still be considered a minor. If you leave home without permission as a minor, your parents or legal guardians can report you as a runaway. Running away is not illegal, so you would not be arrested. It is a status offense which means your parents/guardians can ask for police to return you home if they know where you are staying. From what we know, police protocol and laws in your home state are the ones that apply. Now, police approach to runaway reports can vary a lot between police departments. Some police departments may not enforce a runaway report if you are close to turning the age of majority. You can call the non-emergency line for your local police department to ask more about how they would approach this situation and if they would take a runaway report at all. It would also be helpful to call the police department for where you are planning on moving to ask if they would enforce a runaway report from a state with a different age of majority.

We hope this information is helpful as you plan out your next steps. If you have any more questions or you would like to talk more about your situation, please do not hesitate to reach out again. We are available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-786-2929 and live chat at 1800runaway.org.

Stay safe and good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

So I’m about to be 18 in a couple months I’m marrying my long term boyfriend that my parents forbid that I see on the day I go to get married can they file a runaway report if I’m only gone a few hours?

[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 seems there is a lot that you are faced with right now and you’re feeling like leaving is one of your only options. It seems you want to know some information on runaway laws.
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. Not exactly sure of the time frame. 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.
We are here as support to help through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. 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).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.
Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Im 17, going to be 18 in around 6 or 5 months. Im graduating in 2021 and was wondering if, after graduation, i was allowed to leave home? My mother (dad is passed) may want me to stay here, maybe not, but depending on whats going on at the time i may see if i could move in with my brother or my aunt. Would i be able to leave this home to an equally maybe even better new home?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for contacting us here at NRS. It sounds like you are thinking about leaving home after graduation to live in a more positive environment. While we are not legal experts, we can speak generally on this. Graduating high school does not have any affect on whether or not you can leave home. Once you reach the age of majority (18 in most states), you are considered a legal adult with the freedom to choose where you live. Unless you live in Mississippi, Alabama, or Nebraksa, you can leave home at 18 without being forced back. We hope this information helps. If you have any more questions or concerns about this, please do not hesitate to contact us directly by phone 1-800-786-2929 or through live chat services at 1800runaway.org.

Good luck,
NRS

[Guest]

If you are 18 and live in Alabama, can you move to a different state where the age of majority is 18 and have all the legal benefits of being an adult? If your parents are okay with you crossing state lines, of course.

[ccsmod6]

Hello and thank you for reaching out to the National Runaway Safeline. While we are not legal experts, we do have a great deal of experience working with runaways. It is our understanding that you could move to a state where the age of majority is 18 and enjoy the legal rights of an adult as an 18 year old. However, if your parents did not consent, they could file a runaway report in Alabama and you would be treated with the laws of your home state until you lived long enough in whatever other state to be considered a resident there.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-786-2929 or chat us at 1800runaway.org.

Take care,
NRS