Moving out at 17

[Guest]

I'm 17 and graduated from hs. Me and my mom fight nearky everyday. I want to move out and she wants me to as well. Is there any way we can make this happen without involving courts?

[ccsmod3]

Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like you are living in a very stressful environment. 18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms.
If you are under 18 and leave home without permission, your parent/guardian may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home.
However, in that case there may be services (family counseling, etc.) available to you as a youth in crisis/runaway but again, police procedures related to offering those services can be different based on your location or the details of your situation.
Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth. We appreciate you choosing us to communicate with. Also if your mom gives you permission to leave the household just remember to get it in writing so that you won’t run into any issues with the police.
If you want to further explore this, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1800-RUNAWAY. Best of luck!