Speak Up! - View Question #118
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #118

Question: I live at home but don't want to. I have a job, and I support myself in every way. I buy my own food, clothes, etc. What are my parents legal responsibilities for me, and can I leave home if they do not follow them?

Answer: If you are a minor (under 18 years old in Arizona) your parents have the right and duty to control you and the duty to support you. You say that you support yourself in every way. Does this include paying rent to your parents, rent equivalent to what you would pay for a place of your own somewhere else? Do you pay for your own transportation? Insurance? Pay your own taxes? Unless you do these all these things, you probably are not truly able to support yourself.

In certain circumstances, a minor who can fully support him or herself will become an emancipated minor. However, this means the minor has the full responsibility of all of his or her needs. Merely contributing to your support does not mean that you can become emancipated.

Your parents have a duty to protect you and provide for you. Your parents do not have a duty to allow you to do what you want.

Your parents will lose their right and duty to control you if they abuse it. This usually involves some sort of criminal behavior, or behavior that puts you in danger. Not feeding, clothing, or houseing you would be examples of this behavior. Your contribution towards food, housing or clothing does not get you out of obeying them.

Unless you are fully emancipated, or your parents legally lose their right to parental authority, you cannot leave home without their permission.
Comments
1 thru 5 of 39 comments
On 06/11/07
Lety from TX said:
hey. im 16 and i live in Texas and im gnna be 17 in november and i want to move out of my parents house when i turn 17 and i was wondering is it legal for me to move out when im 17?
On 02/17/07
Samantha from OH said:
I am 17 years old and i want to move out on my own. I have a place where other parents can support me and i have a job. I am currently still in high school and i have a 4.0 GPA is there anyway i can move to this other place without my parents permission or is there some way i can move out of my parents house?
On 01/16/07
shelby from CA said:
i'm gonna be 17 in april 25 and i want to be on my own i'm not getting beat or anything but i'm always upset wanting to kill myself(which i wont) and i want so badly to live on my own because i know if i do then i could start my life in a better way yes i know the real life is hard but i believe most of my hurting would go away if i went on my own i live with my dad and i feel as he was never there for me my mom left me about 3 months ago. my dad is an alright person but he'd be better if he didnt put football first instead of his kids how do i make being on my own happen i truly want this
On 05/11/06
Tammy from OH said:
i don't get alone with my parents . they only give me a place to live and i buy everything for myself. i want out of there. we always fight about everyhting and it gets violent sometimes. i work 6 days a week and now i they took the car away so i have to walk 15 miles to town to go to work. i just want to get out of there and be on my own. what can i do to get out?
On 05/05/06
natalie from AZ said:
My name is natalie and i've been house hopping for about a month now and anything is better than home.But if you wish to leave you need to consider first what you truly need or just what you want.If your parents are not doing there jobs as parent you have to tell somebody, but if you dont tell anyone and you just leave home without any true knowledge of life then things are going to be harder for you out in the real world rather than under the safe wings of your parents.
1 thru 5 of 39 comments


Read more about the law and Family
Related Stories
Related Laws
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #118