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Question: What Age Can i legally move out without my parents permission?(they know where i'll be and i'm with another responsible adult)

Answer:

You can legally move out without your parents’ permission when you are 18 years old.  In Arizona, under A.R.S. § 8-201(3), "adult" means a person who is eighteen years of age or older. 

 

Until then, your parents are responsible for you and, under A.R.S. § 12-661, your actions.  If your parents know where you are, that you are with another responsible adult, and they allow you to stay there, they are “permitting” you to be there.  If, while you were there,  they do not provide reasonable support and maintain regular contact with you, including providing normal supervision, their actions may constitute abandonment.

 

Otherwise, you can try to become emancipated if you are 16 or 17 years old, which means that the courts will legally separate you from your parents.  You would assume most all of the responsibilities of an adult.  You would have to demonstrate that you can live independently and then the court would determine if that is in your best interest.  Your parents would have an opportunity to object during the court process.  For more information about the emancipation process, visit Laws - Emancipation on this site or you can view an Emancipation Informational Booklet from the Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts, Dependent Children's Division or you can visit the Emancipation of a Minor online information page.

 

Depending upon your home situation, you could try to seek help to improve your relationship with your parents. However, if you are trying to leave home due to an abusive situation, do not wait - call for immediate assistance:

 

-Arizona Child Protective Services 888-SOS-CHILD or 888-767-2445
-Child Help USA Hotline 800-422-4453
-National Crisis/Suicide Hotline 800-999-9999
-National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233
-Teen Link (Various Topics) 800-235-9678
-Youth Crisis Hotline 800-448-4663.


Comments
6 thru 10 of 18 comments
On 11/24/08
Rachel from TX said:
What if i have somewhere to go and my mom isnt suitable?
On 11/24/08
Josef from SC said:
In South Carolina, you technically can't move out until you are 18, but thanks to a loophole in the laws, at 17 you can leave with no police interference and not have to go back.
On 11/13/08
Nicole from AZ said:
The laws vary from State to State. Google Emancipation and "your State". Then you can get the process started. The girl from SC might have "been in the clear" but this is not the case in every state. Without a court order, your parents will still retain custody. Just start searching, and have the court appoint you a lawyer. No matter what, make sure you are in a good, stable, healthy environment. A judge won't let you leave just because you "don't get a long with your parents." You have to prove that you are a responsible adult in dire circumstances. Hope that helps. Best of Luck-
On 11/11/08
kendra from AZ said:
ok well my parents are getting splitting up and i dont want to get caught up in a custody battle am i able to move out?
On 11/01/08
no nam from SC said:
i know the law for south carolina is 17 leagely but 16 with papers signed through a lawer. but 12 you cant move out im 16 and want to move in with my boyfriend as well but always make sure you have another place to stay i sumtin happens and yall break up!
6 thru 10 of 18 comments



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