Moving out at the age of seventeen? Is it possible? Is it legal?

[BRoxanne]

Hello,
I will be seventeen in four months.

My life at home seems like a fairy tale to most of the individuals that I have come to known.
I do live a life of luxury, but with most fairy tales not all have a happy ending.
I have been in trouble for running away twice now. The situation is most in fact untrue.
I was allowed to go out both times and was committed as a runaway by my parents.
I did not come home on time (my curfew).

But, as that is said, I did keep communication with both of my parents throughout the night.
My life at home is not comforting. I am always blamed for something.
I am an honor roll student, I do work, and I do have a multiple places to live other than here.

I have followed the advice of many, "Inform you parents that you want to and are willing to move out at the age of seventeen".
But, like most parents, they have responded by saying, "no".

They have told me multiple times, "If I am not happy here, then I am allowed to leave"
But, every time I began to leave, they force me back into the house.
My parents are abusive.

You may ask,"Am I a troubled child and do I deserve the things that my parents do to me?"
I can reassure you that I do not.
I am a good child, Honor Roll, Pre Ap classes, Nursing School, Volunteering, and many other things.
Living here is effecting my life and my brothers as well.
I do not feel happy here.

I would like to move out of this residence without involving the police.
Many other websites have told me that it is possible.
Never the less, many other websites have told me no, it is not impossible.

I am capable of living on my own.
Please, I need the advice and a true answer.
I have been told of the Emancipation, but as that is said, my parents are not willing to allow me to follow through with that.
I can not wait till the age of 18.

How can I move out now?
Without being arrested or worse?

Please reply soon.
Thank you.

[retdetsgt]

You only needed to post this once.

Depends on the state you live in. Some it's 18, others it's 17.

[MountainMan]

It depends on the age that your state considers you an adult. But I will point out that paying your own way in the world is much harder than you think.

[TEXASCOP]

What state are you in?
In Texas "Child" means a person under 18 years of age. With that in mind your parents can report you as a runaway till you are 18. Keep in mind if you become emancipated your parents are not required to take you back into their home. Once you are emancipated there responsibility to provide for you is gone. We had an aspiring young man who thought he could make it in the real world when he was 16 he was able to get emancipated. His father (a hard nosed millionaire business man in the area) finally allowed his son to leave with a warning. He told him this is it I will not help you in any way if you leave and I will not take you back into this house. The young man moved into a trailer and tried to start his own business long story short his business failed he knocked up his high school sweet heart and he ended up working at Mcdonalds and I arrested him a few weeks ago with a sack of weed. When I was in contact with him he advised he dropped out of highschool and was trying to get his GED. When I was 17 I thought I knew so much more than my parents. I look back now and realize they were usually right.

[mcsap]

MOST teens feel that they are not understood by their parents and they want more freedom.

YOu say you live a life of luxary.....something you won't have even at the age of 18 if you take off.

Not returning home by your curfew IS running away. Runing away doesn't mean you have to get on a bus for Florida.

What exactly are you blamed for ?

Exactly how are your parents abusive ?

Is living there cramping your desired lif style or ?

You say you are not happy there , what guarantee do you have of happiness elsewhere ?

Never ever trust a website for information like " they said I can move out " etc.

In my state , you are a minor child until you are 18. At that point you can move anywhere. Living life with rules you don't like doesn't mean it is bad living conditions. You will ALWAYS have to live under someones rules and work for someone else.

You are 16 going on 17. Your parents got you this far and you aren't bruised or battered. Your parents aren't perfect but they DO have a lot more life experience than you do. They KNOW what it is like to be out on their own , you don't.

You may think you are smarter and know better than your parents. Do you REALLY think that at age 16 that this is possibly for real ?

You are approaching having the body of an adult ( meaning that you will be or are done growing) but the maturity of your mind STILL has a long way to go. Making a major life decision now is not a good idea.

Short of being physically beat up ( which you do not claim) , stick it out , learn to live under other peoples rules ( remember you will do this the rest of your life) and when you are 18 and want to move on , you can LEGALLY do so.

If you take off and your parents report you as a runaway , any friends who help you can be ARRESTED for interfering with the custody of children.

PS I graduated from HS at age 17 and also went in the military before I turned 18.

[BRoxanne]

I do live in the state of Texas.
Thank you all to have replied.

I will only post once.
I was just in need of an answer now.

I want to "Emancipate",
but, under those circumstances,
if it does not go through, I will be stuck her until the age of 18 and it would be worse than before.

They are both physically and emotionally abusive.
I do not have anyone to explain or just to speak to.
It has become a time of need and loneliness.

I have two other brothers, no sisters.
It is just me and myself when in times of hardness.

I do understand that it is going to be difficult, but, I am willing to try.
If I happen to fail, that is my failure.
I do have a good paying job and have many supporters.

I may not have a permanent place to live if I were to leave, but I sure have the capability to find one.
I am very mature and saying I want to proceed with this doesn't make me any less of an adult at my age.
I would like to leave and they have told me that I am able to leave, if I am not happy here, but as I agree and began to pack, they drag me back into this house.
They then tell me, "I am not aloud to leave".

It is not best to tell a minor that she is aloud to do something then as she is in the process of doing so, changing her/his mind of the judgment.
I feel that this is best for not only me, but for the actual family as well.
It may be hard, but I am willing to take the risk.

My parents would not agree to an "Emancipation" though.
How would I go about leaving the house then?
Legally?

I understand that to most people that this is not the best idea, but I have over-thought this many times.
I am ready to leave..

Even though I am turning 17 soon,
and eighteen will then follow shortly, it is my time to leave now, early.
Now.

Thank You,

[TEXASCOP]

1. If you want be be emancipated, you will need a lawyer, I doubt very much you will be able to do so without one.

2. You will need to show that you are able to support yourself.

3. By the time you are done with all the paper work and what not, you probably wont be far from turning 18.

4. Keep in mind that in Texas your parents are with in their legal rights to use physical force to discipline you.

Explain a little more regarding the physical abuse (did it leave a mark, what brought on the physical abuse)

Texas Penal code regarding force to discipline their child is listed below.

PARENT-CHILD. (a) The use of force, but not
deadly force, against a child younger than 18 years is justified:
(1) if the actor is the child's parent or stepparent or
is acting in loco parentis to the child; and
(2) when and to the degree the actor reasonably
believes the force is necessary to discipline the child or to
safeguard or promote his welfare.
(b) For purposes of this section, "in loco parentis"
includes grandparent and guardian, any person acting by, through,
or under the direction of a court with jurisdiction over the child,
and anyone who has express or implied consent of the parent or
parents.

[mcsap]

Corporal punishment is alive and well in PA.

If you ar ebeing physically abused ( and that is not a result of you attacking your parents ) , then you can call the police. You can also talk to a guidance counselor at school , pastor in a church etc. There are MANY avenues of help to abused kids.

I am a police officer and have been one for over 25 years. You are free to remain anymous here.

Now , convince me that you are being physically and emotionally abused.