Parents have the right to the care and custody of their children, so the law generally is that you can’t go live with a friend or another family member without your parents’ consent. To make your own decision on where to live, you would need to become emancipated.
Emancipation is a legal proceeding that, like a divorce, legally separates young people from their parents before they reach the legal age of majority in their state. After a court order gets you emancipated, parental consent is not required for anything. The court will determine whether you should be emancipated based on your best interests and other factors.
State law governs emancipation, so the details can vary depending on where you which State you reside in.
Abused teens may feel forced to leave home for their health and safety regardless of laws.. Your state’s child protective services may get involved if it suspects abuse. If that happens, there is a legal process to determine whether parents should lose custody. In cases of abuse, CPS will find an alternative place for you to live, such as foster care, while the case is being resolved. It’s also possible for a grandparent or other relative to look to get custody of you in this situation. Older teens may want to explore emancipation. However, emancipation is something to examine only once you have reached a safe place.
If you ran away because of abuse and CPS is not involved, what are your options? You may want to contact someone you trust, especially if that person is in a position to help, like a school counselor or teacher.
Parents and guardians are legally responsible for a child’s necessary expenses, even if another adult verbally agrees to care for the minor. Just like with divorced parents, it doesn’t matter in the eyes of the law whether the teen lives in their parents’ home or not: a parent is always responsible for their children’s upbringing and financial well-being until a court order says differently.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal allegation, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge, and some times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI Lawyer as soon as possible. DUI charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
