Speak Up! - View Question #135

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Question: I am 17 and have a child; can I move in with his father without my mothers consent?

Answer: In Arizona, and probably in most other states, your mother has the right and the duty to control and care for you until you are an adult. Being an adult in Arizona means either that you are 18 years old, or that you are emancipated. Therefore, you may not live anywhere except where your mother (or someone else who is given custody or guardianship of you by the court) tells you to live.

To become emancipated you must be able to support yourself. Providing for yourself means that you feed and cloth yourself, provide yourself with transportation to work and school, provide insurance, pay taxes, etc. You must be able to do all of these things, and you will be required to do all of these things for yourself.

In addition, if you try to move in with the father of your child who is an adult (18 or over) he can be prosecuted (read more about this...).

You have a lot to think about before you make your next move. Take time to consider it fully.


Comments
21 thru 25 of 28 comments
On 02/28/05
sarah from MS said:
I turn 17 in august and i was wondering if i can move out of my house when i turn 17? I live in mississippi.
On 01/03/05
thalias from IL said:
i had a child at 16 im 17 now and engaged , i heard that in illinois that if you dont want to live at home you dont have to , is that true?
On 09/17/04
liz gorski from AZ said:
how old does a teenage mother have to be to move out? does it matter if i only have permission from one of my parents instead of two?
On 05/16/04
Amanda from MI said:
I am a 16 year old female and live in Michigan..and i was wondering if i could move out when i turn 17 which is very soon June 24....can you please help me the legal way?
On 03/04/04
jess from GA said:
i think at 17 if your serious and you know that you have support than you should be able too. if you ahve a child hell yes you should.
21 thru 25 of 28 comments



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