Laws&Restrictions on wedding and leaving at 17?

Question

To start, I live in Michigan, and I've heard many mixed answers on both topics.. I have heard several times you cannot leave home without parental consent at 17, unless you are married. So, if I got married at 17, would I need parental consent to do so? Would I need parental consent if the wedding was held in Canada? And is it true that if I am married, I can leave without parental consent?

Just to clarify, I am not one of those teenagers whose mommy wouldn't buy them an ipod so they hate their life and want to move out.. I have genuine reasons for asking this question, and am not asking for myself. I am asking for a friend who I've watched be mistreated for years now, and is approaching her 17th birthday. So if you could please not give me the immaturity and suck it up comments, that would be deeply appreciated.

The first two answers, thank you, but I'll add more here to respond to your answers.. She's been with someone for a long time now and it's one of those things where you just kind of know they'll continue, but you can cast that aside since we're 17.. As for exposing the abuse, that's been tried and failed and only made things worse for her because the parents were now enraged she tried that. We can think of no other way out, and should her and her partner regret the marrige (we've all already hashed over this for a while now, clearly) they said they would get a divorce and move on, and yes, we do know how much time, money, and emotional toll that takes, so don't say that as an excuse.. I know this all sounds crazy, but we're that desprate to remove her from this situation. :( I just want to know if it is all legally possible, I know everyone's moral feelings about it and I know it's horrible this is being resorted to.. so please answer my question. :(

Answer 1

Wouldn't it be better to help her by exposing the abuse? She is just about old enough to take care of herself, & may go to a foster home for a while, but that may be better than the consequesces. Marraige isn't an escape, it can be a life sentence, especially if you don't chose well.

Answer 2

In Michigan there are four ways in which a minor can be emancipated:

1) when validly married;
2) when reaching the age of 18 years;

3) during the period when the minor is on active duty with the armed forces; and

4) for the purposes of consenting to routine, nonsurgical medical care or emergency medical treatment when the minor is in the custody of a law enforcement agency and the minor's parent or guardian cannot be promptly located. This last emancipation ends upon the termination of medical care or treatment or upon the minor's release from custody, whichever occurs first.

However, a person under the age of 18 cannot marry in Michigan unless you have the consent of at least one parent, normally required to be given in person at the clerk's office.

The alternative is for her to apply to the court for a writ of emancipation, which the court would grant if it found that she meets the statutory criteria (mainly that she is financially self-supporting and socially has enough maturity to live on her own).

If you're in or near Ann Arbor, call the U of M law school and ask for the legal clinic and see what the eager beavers law students can accomplish. The little ones need to feel like lawyers and this is an area where they can probably do some good.

I would not recommend the Canada trip, because if mommy and daddy get really ticked, the groom could find himself facing charges of violating the Hobbs Act when he gets back.

Answer 3

Ok, I feel the pain and understand your frustration, but please take it from someone older when we say marriage is not the way. Im not sure of the laws in Michigan, but in most states children can emancipate themselves from their parents. I would recommend exploring this. What is the worst case scenario if she leaves the home and moves in with a friend or family that knows what is going on and is willing to help her? What the parents will call the police? Well at that time, she tells them that she is not going home, that there is abuse and she refuses to go. The police will not make her go if she feels that there is a potential for harm. I think there are other options that are not being explored possibly because of your age, or possibly because we do not know everything that is going on. I suggest talking to another adult who knows the boy and girl. I would also suggest talking to a school counselor. Consult your state agencys for free legal aid, etc.
Wish I could help more, but need to know what "mistreat is".

Answer 4

Getting married at 17 isn't the way to get out of your house. Most marriages that start out that way are doomed. I would say if your friend has finished high school, she can leave, but she has to be 18 to sign a contract for an apartment or whatever, so where would she go.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

She can go to the court and get what is called emancipation of minor. look at this site for details:

http://www.peoples-law.org/children/emancipation/emancipation%20home.htm#What%20does