Moving out at 17 in California

[Guest]

Can I move out when am 17

[ccsmod4]

Reply: Can I move out when am 17

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parents or guardians 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 them.

The second way is through Child Protective Services 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.

If you would like to talk more about your situation please contact NRS at: 1-800-Runaway (786-29290 or www.1800Runaway.org

We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

I am a junior who is 16 but will be 17 in September and 18 next year as a senior could I be able to live with a friend if I am having troubles living at home ?

[ccsmod10]

Hey there,
Thanks for reaching out to NRS, we appreciate your courage.
It sounds like you’re trying to figure out when you can legally leave your parents’ home. Once you turn 18, you are considered a legal adult (some states have a different age of majority, but only a few). Once you’re 18 you should be able to decide where you want to live, regardless if you’re still in high school. If you’re able to call in, we can contact your local police just to verify that information. Also, talking to school teachers or counselors about what’s going on at home and what your figure plan is could provide you with additional support.
Again, we appreciate you reaching out to us and you’re not alone in this. Our safeline is open 24/7 and we also have an online chatting service via our website (however it is not 24/7). Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again, talking in detail about your situation could help brainstorm different options and ideas.
Be well, NRS

[Guest]

Hi, i am 17 and live in CA. i am wondering if i can move out of my moms house with her consent only? do i need both parents consent? i want to move in with my boyfriend's family. they agreed to let me stay there too. it's very safe and my mom knows them and has their number, if anything. i dont live with my father and he wont give consent. do i really need it if i dont live with him? i dont have a good relationship with him either. he has hardly been there and when i did live with him, i wasnt taken to appointments, and he never really paid much attention to me. when i lived with him i hardly ever saw or spent time with him. when we did talk, we argued. hence, i moved in with my mom after. i turn 18 in 8 months and i want to move out and get my life started elsewhere, with people who feel more like family and where i am in a more positive environment.

[ccsmod6]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you are wanting to move out and want to know if you need both your parent's consent. That is a great question. Unfortunately, we are not legal experts and cannot speak with certainty around this subject, but we can try to brainstorm your options.

It would help to have permission to leave from both your parents, but since you live with your mom it's more important that you have her permission. If the situation is that you have permission from your mom and you do not have it from your dad, you might see if your mom would be willing to give your boyfriend's family temporary guardianship of you. Your dad has the right to file a runaway report for you as your guardian if you leave home without permission. However, if police discover that it is a civil issue and your mom who has primary guardianship over you gave you permission to leave, they probably would not get involved. To get a better idea about what might happen, you can always call your local non-emergency police and ask hypothetical questions around your situation.

It sounds like your boyfriend's family is a great support and environment for you to be in; while your needs went unmet when you were living with your dad. We are glad that you have supportive people in your life, and you are looking to move to more positive environment.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat us if you would like us to look for legal resources for you or if you would like to talk more about your situation and continue brainstorming your options.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

I'm currently 17. I turn 18 in 3 and a half months. I want to leave my parent's house but I know they won't agree with me. They want me to go to a certain college and continue to wrestle for my scholarship. But I want to go to a different college and be a part of the ROTC program and academic scholarships. They dont listen to my opinion and thoughts and add extra stress that has been feeling like too much for a while now. I have been looking for places to get a job and have found a few that I can apply to so I will have an income. My friend says I can move in with her and her family so I'll have a safe place to live. And I'll be able to focus on school and enjoy my senior year if I leave but what would happen if my parents filed me as a runaway?

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear that your parents don’t support your decisions in life. It sounds like you are thinking about moving in with your friend but you aren’t sure what would happen if your parents filed a runaway report on you. Running away is not illegal, but if you decided to stay with your friend, her family could get in trouble for harboring a runaway. If the police find you, they would return you home. However, some states do not accept runaway reports on 17 year olds because they are so close to being 18. You could contact your local police non-emergency number and ask them if they accept runaway reports on 17 year olds. If you don’t feel comfortable calling yourself, you can call our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929) and we can call for you. If you have any other questions regarding running away, please feel free to contact us via phone, email, or live chat.
We wish you the best !
-NRS

[Guest]

I've been going threw depression since I was 8, I've seen people died and I've also been threw 7 foster homes and 2 group homes. I've been living with my aunt and she was married no my non blood related uncle that'll verbally abuse me But he moved out. But my aunt Dosent understand my depression and mocks me for being deppressed. I am at the point where I don't have any motivation to go to school I just want to move out and live On my own. What can I do

[ccsmod10]

Hello there,

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are very sorry to hear what you are going through right now and hope we can help you get to a better place. You are very responsible and brave for reaching out for help.

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot of traumatizing experiences and it is understandable that this has taken an effect on your mental health. Depression and mental health should be taken seriously. If you want to get some kind of mental health assistance, you can call us or talk to a school counselor. You mentioned having to live in multiple foster homes and group homes, that sounds really unstable. We're unsure of your age, but emancipation may be an option you could look into. We have legal aid resources if you'd like to explore that, since we're not legal experts. Lastly, it sounds like your uncle is verbally abusive and your aunt mocks you. That sounds like very hurtful and disrespectful treatment, you never deserve to be treated that way. One resource that may also be helpful to you for support is Child Help- the National Child Abuse Hotline. You can reach them at 1-800-422-4453. We are always here to help you make that abuse report if you decide that's the option you'd like to explore more.

Please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY to talk more specifically about your situation and your options.

Hope to hear from you soon.

NRS

[Guest]

I am 17 and I want to know if I can move out and live with my boyfriend who is 16 and after I turn 18 in feburary he turns 17 four months after and his parents are ok with me moving in and even his grandoarents said tbey were fone with it if I wanted to stay with them too.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I am 17 and I want to know if I can move out

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 are some things going on right now and you’re feeling like leaving and going to stay with your boyfriend is an option you are considering.
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.

We are here as support to help with information and a listening ear during your difficult 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).

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello,
im graduating in December 14 of 2017. I turned 17 in September of 2017. I’m registered to go to college in Jan of 2018 and I live in California. My mom hates me because I am gay. I came out freshman year and I’ve been waiting until I can leave ever since. My mom and I had an incident in 2016. she told me to leave ,but called the police on me when I did.

So my question is... can I move out after I graduate? My grandfather lives by the college I’m registered at and says that I can live with him for as long as I need.

[ccsmod5]

Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you’ve been having a difficult time at home with your mom. Your mom’s treatment of you must be really hurtful and it’s not okay that she has treated you badly. You deserve to feel loved and accepted!
Since you will still be 17 when you graduate, your mom does have the right to file a runaway report. While we’re not legal experts, we have seen police choose not to pursue a 17-year-old runaway. You might consider reaching out to your local non-emergency police line to inquire (hypothetically) about how they handle 17-year-old runaways. If you’re uncomfortable doing so, we at NRS are able to make that call for you if you call in. Another option is to ask your mom for consent to stay with your grandfather or to ask your grandfather to talk to your mom on your behalf.
If you’d like to speak about the situation more specifically, please feel free to reach out to us. Our number is 1-800-786-2929 and our lines are open 24/7. Best of luck to you.

[Guest]

I’m 17 and pregnant I turn 18 in 6 months and I live in California. My boyfriend and I are both being responsible about having a baby and we were planning in me moving in with him and his family but my mom doesn’t want to because she thinks we’re still little kids and don’t know what we’re doing . His family is really helping me out and want to talk to my mom for she can stop being so hard on me since now is when I need more support and my mom isn’t she doesn’t want to take me to the doctor because she says she’s embarrassed of me. What can I do?

[ccsmod15]

Hello, thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you are really struggling with how unsupportive your mom is being with your pregnancy. We are glad your boyfriend and his family are supportive and that you reached out for help today. That is a hard thing to do so props to you!
We are not legal experts, however we can provide you with the information we understand about run away laws. Anyone who leaves their legal guardian and is under the age of adulthood (which is 18 in California) could be filed as a runaway by their legal guardian. Running away is not a crime, however, the legal guardian can charge any adult the youth stays with with the crime of harboring a runaway. It is a rare charge, but something to be aware of. So if you leave home and live with your boyfriend and his family and your parents wanted to press charges that is a possibility. Otherwise your parents can file a runaway report with police which just lets them know you are gone. Some police departments will come out and look for you if your parents know where you are, other police stations do not do that and only if you commit a crime or otherwise come into contact with police will they try to return you back home.
As far as resources for your pregnancy, Sexetc.org is a great resource for things like pregnancy, talking to your parents, education, and options. Planned Parenthood can help you find a clinic near you where you can get free or discounted medical care for you and your baby depending on need: 1-800-230-7526, plannedparenthood.org.
It sounds like you are trying to do what is best for you and your baby. We are glad you have your boyfriend and his family as supportive people and it must be really hard to feel like you do not have your own mom’s support, even though you have support elsewhere. We do offer conference calling with parents so if you think having a conversation with your mom with a third, neutral party would be helpful and something you are interested in, give us a call anytime, 24/7 at 1-800-786-2929. You could also consider if your mom would be receptive to having a conversation with you and another trusted adult, like your boyfriend’s parents or a family friend or family member who your mom trusts too. Sometimes having that third party can ease tension and help make sure the conversation is constructive.
Thank you again for reaching out! It really does show a lot of strength and you clearly are trying to do what is best in a really tough situation, which you should be proud of! Feel free to call or live chat with us (open daily 4:30-11:30pm CT) to talk more about your situation, options for you, and additional resources. Be safe and best of luck!

[Guest]

I’m 17 and 9 months and I ran away from home about 2 or 3 months ago because I get so depressed and get so much anxiety being with my family because my mom makes me do livestock when I don’t want to and I haven't wanted to since I was about 11 and this has been going on for years. I can’t even get a job or my license because the livestock is more important and I miss school because of them too so I can’t do that well in school so that makes me feel like I’m too dumb do be in this world so that’s unfair to me and my future. I already have a family who’s waiting for me to move in and they actually care about what I want to do with my life and I want to have a good paying job and have a family of my own but waiting is just hurting me and that’s not right to do to your child who doesn’t even want to be around you.

[ccsmod4]

Reply: I’m 17 and 9 months

Hello,
Thanks for contacting the National Runaway Safeline.

We appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
Some situations can be disappointing and even upsetting thus making things uncertain about what to do or where to turn.
We understand and we want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We would like to know how you were hoping we might help.
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) or www.1800Runaway.org.

Again tell us what it is you would like us to help you with and we will be happy to explore some options with you.
NRS is here to listen and here to help.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Take care,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi can I move out by the age of 16 ? I can’t handle my family because they limit my freedom and I can hardly do things in my life.

[ccsmod3]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and talking a little about what is going. Your situation sounds really frustrating and it seems like your freedom is important to you. At the age of 16 your parents are still responsible for you and if you were to move out, you would need to get their permission to do so. If you choose to leave without permission, then you would be considered a runaway. Your parents would have the right to file a police report and if the police found you, they would most likely return you home.
One option you have is becoming emancipated. The process varies from state to state and you would need to talk to legal experts about specific questions, but if you call in we can give you general information that we know and also provide you with some legal resources.
If you haven’t done so already, having a conversation with your parents about how they are making you feel. Also, having someone there with you to support you is also a way that you could express what you would need to change. You are not alone in this and we will support you in any way that we can. Please feel free to reach out to us directly at 1-800-RUNAWAY or access our chat through our website. Stay strong.
NRS

[Guest]

So I am 17 years old turning 18 in 11 months. Ever since the end of 10th grade(16 years old) I have been having arguments which turn into yelling and sometimes goes physical. I am not really happy of where I am. They are really strict and not letting me proceed my dreams. Rather annoying and i do not feel safe neither want to be home at times. And what can I do to move out and the process. As long I can move out.

[ccsmod2]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at National Runaway Safeline. We are sorry to hear that you have been having trouble at home. It sounds like there may be some abuse going on and you don't feel safe at home. Abuse is never okay, and you don't deserve to be treated that way. You have the right to report the abuse, talking to someone that you trust such as a teacher or school counselor could help. You could also contact Child Protective Services or the police and let them know that you don't feel safe at home. They would do an investigation and if they determine that you home environment is not safe, they would remove you from the home. If you would more information on abuse reporting or how to transfer custody, you could contact Child Help (1-800-422-4453). Another option that you could consider is asking your guardian if they would allow you to stay with a family member or close friend. One final option would be to look into emancipation laws for your state.

Since you are 17, if you decide to move out without their consent they have the right to file a runaway report. With a runaway report, if the police find you they would return you home. If you were to leave home and stay with a friend, your friend could get charged with harboring a runaway. However, some police do not accept runaway reports for 17 year old's. You could contact your local police through their non-emergency phone number. If you don't feel comfortable contacting the police, we could call them for you. If you do decide to leave home and need a safe place to stay, we could look up local resources for you. Please feel free to contact us directly via our 24 hour crisis hotline (1-800-786-2929), or live chat if you have any other questions or just need to talk.

[Guest]

I don’t wanna stay with my mom anymore and I turn 18 on April 6 and I want to move out with my dad in San Jose California and we got into an argument and she said leave pack your stuff so I have everything packed but she won’t let me leave all of a sudden