Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS and we appreciate you sharing your situation with us. You have had to take on a lot of responsibilities at home and it sounds like you have been a primary caregiver for your siblings. It was not okay for your parents to put you in this position since they are the adults and it is their job to be the parents. You mentioned that your parents would become emotionally abusive at times and some of the things you mentioned could be considered neglect. Being able to identify that all of this has taken its toll on your mental health and acknowledging the trauma you have experienced takes courage and resilience. It is understandable you would want to leave this environment and prioritize your well-being and happiness. You deserve to have a healthy and supportive environment to grow in.
While we are not legal experts, we can address some of the concerns you have. The age of majority in most states is 18. The exceptions to this is Mississippi(21), Alabama and Nebraska(19). This is the age at which you are considered a legal adult with the legal freedom to choose where you live. If you leave home as a minor (under 1

Once you turn 18 you are free to leave home and your parents can not legally force you back. How much communication you have with your parents after you leave is up to you and what you think will be best. It could be helpful to leave a note or send a message that you chose to leave but that you are safe. Having a solid plan about what you are planning on doing might be a good idea so that you can think about what will and will not be possible and work for you. Considering certain factors and aspects for your plan might help you make your decisions about your next steps: where are you going to be living, what's your role in the house, are you going to be working/going to school, will you be paying your share of the bills/rent, a back-up plan in case your living arrangement does not work out and you need to leave.
If your car is registered and titled in your own name then you could take it. You would also want to make sure you set up insurance for it under your name as well. But if your car's title or registration is in one of your parent's names as the owner of the vehicle then they could report it stolen to law enforcement. You will want to find out if you legally own the car or not before taking it with you. Because you are currently a minor, your parents likely have access to any bank accounts or credit cards that you have. When you turn 18, you can open your own bank account and apply for credit cards in your name only. This way your parents will not have any access to your funds or be able to see your transactions. If possible, it would be smart to obtain your ID, birth certificate, and social security card before leaving. These are essential for working and living independently. If you are not able to get these from your parents, you can find instructions for how to get copies in this field guide by the National Network for Youth.
https://nn4youth.org/wp-content/uplo...FINAL-2019.pdf
Taking this step toward independence can be a huge step to take and we want you to be as safe as possible when making your decision. If you would like to talk more about your situation and explore your options, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We are available for immediate support by phone at 1-800-786-2929 and through live chat at 1800runaway.org.
Stay strong,
NRS
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