Kicked from Home

tylerksub · #1 08-23-2008, 11:54 PM

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Washington State

Cant find an answer anywhere. I have a part time job and I'm 16 and told my parents that i was gay. They are in a bit of denial but 2 days later they tell me if i dont sort myself out they will either charge me rent and utility or i will have to leave the house.

Can they force me out of the house at 16 like this?

If they cannot kick me out do i legally have to pay them rent?

gigirle · #2 08-24-2008, 06:01 AM

No they cant. They legally have to support you until your 18.

tylerksub · #3 08-24-2008, 06:20 AM

Is that for sure?

Can they charge me rent or anything like that?
I have no problem sleeping in an empty room as long as i can go to school.

aaron · #4 08-24-2008, 06:39 AM

They can charge you rent. But they can't sue you or evict you if you don't pay it. Grounding you? Refusing you privileges? Refusing to pay for any luxuries? That, they can do.

tylerksub · #5 08-24-2008, 06:45 AM

is there any Law i can look up or quote for that?

I will be going to a Community College during my jr year in high school. Can I keep going there if i continue to pay the school fees and book prices? Or does additional education count as a privilege?

cyjeff · #6 08-24-2008, 07:36 AM

Maybe it would be easier if we tell you what they HAVE to provide.

A place to sleep. Two changes of weather appropriate clothing. Food.

anything else is a luxury.

aardvarc · #7 08-24-2008, 08:03 AM

From State of Washington Statutes:

RCW 26.20.030: Family abandonment — Penalty — Exception.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who has a child dependent upon him or her for care, education or support and deserts such child in any manner whatever with intent to abandon it is guilty of the crime of family abandonment.

(2) A parent of a newborn who transfers the newborn to a qualified person at an appropriate location pursuant to RCW 13.34.360 is not subject to criminal liability under this section.

(3) The crime of family abandonment is a class C felony under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

Until you reach the age of 18, you are considered a child, as defined in RCW 26.28.010 (which sets the age of majority at 18) and reads:

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all persons shall be deemed and taken to be of full age for all purposes at the age of eighteen years.

Kross_Lancer · #8 08-24-2008, 02:15 PM

That's absolutely horrible treatment toward you, threatening to kick you out just because of your sexual preference? Are they Christians or just homophobes? That's just not right that they would do something like that. Sure doesn't encourage others to come out about themselves, all the hatred toward gays we see in this country.

Hopefully they'll get over it in time and you'll get back to a normal life, but as for what they are required to provide, you won't get much if they decide to go with bare minimum.

cyjeff · #9 08-24-2008, 02:41 PM

Quoting Kross_Lancer

That's absolutely horrible treatment toward you, threatening to kick you out just because of your sexual preference? Are they Christians or just homophobes? That's just not right that they would do something like that. Sure doesn't encourage others to come out about themselves, all the hatred toward gays we see in this country.

Hopefully they'll get over it in time and you'll get back to a normal life, but as for what they are required to provide, you won't get much if they decide to go with bare minimum.

Which doesn't change the fact that, as a minor, the OP has to do what his parents tell him to do.

This includes only dating those people that the parents find acceptable... regardless of sexual preference.

You may or may not agree with their choice. That is not a legal distinction.