I need to know and please serious answers only about the age limit for a teen to move out of a parents home.?

Question

I have a son who just turned 17. He doesn't want to adhere to the rules of curfew and stays out all night sometimes and comes home whenever he wants. I have to stop it somehow. He told me if I don't like it he will move out that since he is 17 that I can't stop him. I am at my wits end. He is a good kid, but he is stubborn, and right now friends and fun are more important than home and family. I am s single mom, and we have no other issues other than him saying I no longer have control of his actions, that he is free to do what he wants or he will move out and that there is nothing I can do to stop him. I can't keep on living like this. I am not sleeping nights, and I am getting to the point I don't ever see him anymore. How do I stop this. What is the age limit for him to leave home if he so decided to. I thought it was 18 but he says no, when he is 17. Everytime I say anything , he replies, I can just move out if you want me to. I am so tired. He is so arrogant, yet a good kid.

He has his own job. pays his own phone and car insurance. Car is paid for but in my name. So he basically pays his own way except for home which he takes like a hotel and me like a mom when he needs me. That's about it right now, but when he can't find me, he goes gets so worried about me. Go figure that. I know he loves me, but right now friends and fun are tops on his list. If I try to ground him he will not listen now that he has turned 17. He just walks in like nothing is wrong and kisses me and hugs me and goes to his room, or asks if I want to catch a movie. I told him I don't ask for much. Just for him to be in on time, and keep up his school work. I told him 11:30 on week days, and 1:30 on weekends and he says I am being unreasonable. I think that is pretty reasonable seeing the older two had to be in at 10 during the week and 12 on weekends. He says times are different now... I am at wits end. Helpppp

Answer 1

It is not "legal" to "move out" of your parents house when you are 17 without their permission.

First, parents, as managing conservators, have a statutory right under the Texas Family Code (Chapter 151.001) and Texas Probate Code (Chapter 767) to have physical possession of their unemancipated child and designate their primary residence. They also have the duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the child. Therefore, they may lawfully tell you "no" when you wish to leave or move out.

Second, parents do not need 24 hours to file a Missing Person report. They may file one once they determine you voluntarily left without the intent to return. However, Texas Attorney General Opinion GA - 0125 determined that an "unemancipated" 17 year old may not be reported as missing if the parents know the child's whereabouts. If reported as missing and identified by a peace officer, they have a lawful duty to take you into possession and return you to your parents. Texas Attorney General Opinion JC - 0229 addresses any questions regarding a Missing Person who is 17 and unemancipated.
Reference Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 63

Third, there is a process for becoming a legal adult at the age of 17. It is known as "Removal of Disabilities of Minority." (Texas Family Code, Chapter 31) It is a difficult process if your parents don't agree with your wishes or if you don't have the money to hire an attorney. Until you become a legal adult, you may not enter contract, therefore preventing you from enrolling yourself in school.

Goodluck!

Answer 2

That might be a state law. Here (Illinois) it's 18, I think. Tell him if he's such a big boy, then he should get a job and his own attorney and file for emancipation. Then he can be on his own. Does he have a cell phone? Stop paying for it. Car? Stop paying for it. No more gas money, either, or money for car maintenance. Make him see what it's like to be a big boy. Make him do his own laundry and cook his own meals for a while. Cook just enough food for you and let him fend for himself. He'll have to do it when he leaves, let him know what it's like to take care of himself. He'll learn it's no so bad. Lock the doors when he's not home when he's supposed to be (provided you live in a safe neighborhood, don't put him in danger).

Maybe his also angry with the fact that you are not with his dad. You just said you were a single mom, I don't know if you were never married or divorced or if his dad ever lived there, but maybe he's mad that his parents aren't married.

Plus, he's a teenager. I wanted to move out, too, but I didn't act like that.

Answer 3

You need to check the laws of your state/locality to determine the age of LEGAL majority. In most states, it is 18 years of age ... however, he can LEGALLY Emancipate himself IF he can prove that he can live life on his own -- make his own income, pay his own bills, be bound under the terms of any contract, etc.

At this age -- it is VERY TRYING on any parent, and yes, I was a Long Term Single Parent too. The "ATTITUDES" are horrific .. and the disrespect for the home, the parent, and the rules the parent sets are just amongst the 'annoyances' a parent has to deal with from children this age.

At this time ... check with your municipality -- and find out what the LOCAL Curfew laws are for teens the age of YOUR SON .. and yes, report him when he VIOLATES that curfew ... and keep doing it.

YOU, as the parent, DO have the right to live in your HOME in peace, and to NOT have to worry about the trouble or potential for trouble that this teen may be in at any moment.

You, the parent, CAN Set rules for your home, and can LOCK the doors at a set hour ... and REFUSE to give the teen a KEY to the home ... meaning he can NOT come and go as he pleases ....

YOU can set rules in your home .. and REQUIRE that he go to school and complete his education. YOU can set the rules that he MUST follow on the weekends too ... and when you LEAVE the home to go out and do a chore or go shopping, YOU can set the rule that he MUST go with you to do the chore, shopping, etc and HELP OUT.

YOU can set chores that he MUST do in order to EARN the 'privilege' of using the Video Game Systems or the TV or anything else around the home.

YOU can set the rules that say -- NO drinking, NO smoking, NO Drugs, NO uninvited 'guests' or sleepovers or anything else.

YOU can report him MISSING when he "disappears" for several days .. and yes, being a MINOR still ... those sheltering the "Attitude" one can be charged with custodial interference.

Answer 4

Your son can emancipate himself but he must prove that he is financial independent.

Try another approach. I have never ever had a curfew with my daughter and with a very few exceptions she is always home early. I have asked that she text message me if she is going to be out after 11 on weekdays or after 12 on weekends.

Why don't you tell him that you trust him within a few simple boundaries. Let HIM decide what is reasonable in a conversation with you. Put him in control of his own fate. Grades = freedom. Keeping up with his responsibilities = freedom plus allowance. Failure to phone in or stick to your agreement = no car keys or allowance.

Your problem is that you do NOT need to be in control of your son at this age. He needs to be in control of himself. And yes, you will never see him. (Senior year is God's way of preparing us for college). The only way you get to talk to your teen is if he or she needs a ride to someplace.

Just go to sleep. Give him a little rope and the adventure won't be so much fun for him any more.

If he keeps giving you the "I'm moving out" line, ask him for a definite plan and tell him you will think about it. Be sure he realizes that the car, the allowance, the TV, the games, and all belong to you since you bought them.

Answer 5

I can't give you an age here, in part because that differs from one jurisdiction to the next. But a quick way to get the specific answer to that in your area would be to call social services and ask. That's not a black mark of any kind against you or your son.

However, it is possible that the two of you need a third party to help here. Whether he agrees to that or not, you need to talk with someone about this, if only to ensure that you don't feel guilty about anything that have needed to do or not do in the past.

Answer 6

Ok well you don't say where you are from but I am from the UK and our currency is Pounds Stirling, so if this is not right for you then to go a currency converter. You can put yourself down on the Housing Executive list (or whatever the equivalent is called in the country you are from) Here you can get a pokey one bedroom flat in a horrible area, for as little as £240.00 Per Month. You will then need approximately £40.00 per week to purchase groceries. You will need approx £20.00 per month for electricity. £20.00 per month for heating (gas/oil) Then you need to take into account travel expenses, other bills (such as rates), leisure money, and money for clothing. Not to mention the money you would need to kit your place out (tv/sofa etc) You would need to get a full time job to pay for this, and at 16 years old, you are very limited to what jobs you can get, as a lot of places require you to be 18 years old for insurance reasons (probably 21 if you are in the USA) To live on the basic comfort line I think you would need approx £800.00 per month.

Answer 7

It sounds like he is using the moving out part as leverage to get what he wants kind of like manipulation. I don't have kids that old but if he wont go by your rules then I would put more responsibilities on him like paying bills so he might appreciate what you do more and not take your rules for granted. Because from a guys point of view its a tough world out there. Go by your local recruiting office and pick up a brochure for the marines.

Answer 8

The age limit in the u.s. is 18.. At 17 years old you are still responsible for him. But he can still move out if he takes the situation to court which would allowed him to be emancipated-- (to be emancipated) he has to have a job or either be in school and he has to be responsible.. Then the judge could grant him that.

Answer 9

I believe that a court can emancipate your son, if he goes to court. Otherwise I do believe he has to be 18 until he's ableto move out. If he runs away, you can phone the police to find him and bring him right back. It also may depend on what state you're living in with their laws on emancipation of a minor, etc.

Answer 10

the only way he can move out for good is if he has money. you should be worried if he has a lot of money. without money, he can only move out for a few days. and make sure hes not out drivin and night being a drunkass he might crash or get a dui thats costs a lot.