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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    3

    Red face Moving to Another State With Parental Permission

    I am sorry about the topic, it doesn't necessarily fit but I was not sure what else to use.

    I am sixteen years old and I live in Indiana. Next year, around May, I would like to move to Washington with a friend of mine who will be eighteen this winter. I have know him all my life and my parents are very familiar with him. My parents have no problems with me leaving- in fact, they're encouraging me to get a head start. My friend has had a steady job for two years now, and has sufficient funds to support us. I am also searching for jobs, and learning how to drive. My friend's father is giving us about five to six thousand dollars to help with the move. But my problem is, would it be legal for me to move to another state without my parents present? I've brought up the concern, and nobody has been able to give me a straight answer. My friend's father has suggested getting emancipated- but I don't think I really have grounds to be emancipated. On that note, I would like to go to a physical high school instead of online school for my senior year, so how would enrolling work?

    I am very excited to get a head start on my future and be independent. I know it will be hard, but I will work as hard as I can.

    Thanks in advance. I appreciate any help very much.

    I would also like to add that my parents and I have already discussed the possibility of things not working out- in which case they would welcome me home with open arms. I have a very good relationship with them and I have their support 100%

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Moving Out

    Is this friend a romantic interest? If so, then there can be a number of problems with this plan.

    If you move to WA without any legal guardian and you are NOT emancipated, enrolling in school may be impossible, obtaining health services, a driver's license, and other necessities of life will also be nearly impossible, and you may find yourself detained at some point by the police or child services as they sort out the situation.

    To prevent that, your PARENTS will have to support a petition for emancipation.

    In order to get emancipated (pursuant to IC 31-34-20-6) the court must find that you (1) wish to be free of parental control and protection and no longer NEED said protections, (2) you have sufficient money to support yourself (i.e. YOU have the money, not your 18-year-old "friend"), (3) you understand the consequences of your actions, and (4) you present an acceptable plan for independent living (this will include a plan for schooling, employment, living arrangements, etc.).

    With a plan to move from Indiana to Washington, I'm gonna guess that the court will not be excited about this as a good plan.

    In THEORY your parents can appoint this "friend" your guardian in their stead, but if they do that, then the two of you would have to be no more romantic than the occasional handshake as this would suddenly convert your relationship to one that could land him into prison if he behaves in a manner unbecoming a parent or legal guardian. And, of course, the other problems concerning medical decisions, etc., will still exist and will remain the responsibility of the parents.

    You will have to look up the information at your local court, complete the petition, and convince a court that this plan is workable, practical, and in your best interest. I doubt this will happen, but if your parents back the play, it might come about ... though you'll be trapped half way across the country if the relationship goes south, and, from a statistical perspective, it will. And that will put you in a very precarious position very far from home.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    3

    Default Re: Moving Out

    Thank you very much for your answer! I assure you that I have no romantic connection with this friend of mine. In fact, the reason we chose Washington was because we're both gay, and we've faced extreme discrimination in Indiana. I love it here, but it's very hard to hold your head up when you're surrounded by people with conflicting beliefs. So that would also explain the whole online school thing, I've personally been bullied relentlessly, and my parents are aware of that, which I think is part of the reason they're so supportive.

    I don't think it has crossed our mind that he could be given guardianship, but I noticed you said "in theory." Would it be very difficult to achieve? Well I mean, it will probably be difficult, but would it be easier than emancipation? I actually just talked to my mother about it before she left for work and she said that she would be completely fine with it, but I'd just need a bit more information, i.e, how to get started with that.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Moving Out

    Quote Quoting heylennox
    View Post
    Thank you very much for your answer! I assure you that I have no romantic connection with this friend of mine. In fact, the reason we chose Washington was because we're both gay, and we've faced extreme discrimination in Indiana.
    All the same, the suspicion will remain and I doubt you will be able to translate your experiences in your town to the whole state sufficiently to convince a court to allow you to move with another youngster half way across the country before you have even graduated high school.

    I love it here, but it's very hard to hold your head up when you're surrounded by people with conflicting beliefs. So that would also explain the whole online school thing, I've personally been bullied relentlessly, and my parents are aware of that, which I think is part of the reason they're so supportive.
    Then they can help you look into the emancipation angle, and can consult with an attorney to help ease the path for you. It's still going to be difficult to convince a court that you can support yourself without handouts from friends, family, or the government.

    I don't think it has crossed our mind that he could be given guardianship, but I noticed you said "in theory." Would it be very difficult to achieve?
    I said, "in theory" because it has been done when elder siblings are given guardianship of their younger siblings, or when young adults take in cousins or other relatives. But, having an 18 year old be responsible for a 16 year old ... well, that'll be a hard sell. But, it might not really be an issue until/unless something happens to you where a legal guardian's permission is required.

    That said, there may be some way to grant him that permission through a signed document, a letter, or some other court proceeding. It's simple out here and had been acting as the legal guardian for a teenage boy via a smattering of signed documents granting my wife and I permission to make medical and legal decisions on behalf of his father, and we were renewing that document every three to six months with his father. Now that he's 18 he still lives with us, but we no longer have such complete legal control over him, but, the point is that it might be possible ... again, your parents would have to look into Indiana's laws on grantin gother adults temporary or limited guardianship.

    Well I mean, it will probably be difficult, but would it be easier than emancipation?
    Yes.

    I actually just talked to my mother about it before she left for work and she said that she would be completely fine with it, but I'd just need a bit more information, i.e, how to get started with that.
    You'll have to check locally. And understand that it will need more than mom, dad will also have to be on board. And, such a thing may not even be possible in Indiana - I don't know your state's laws in this area, so you and your parents will have to do that research.

    It might be as complex as going to court, or as simple as simply signing waivers for school, medical, etc. Not only will Indiana law have to be reviewed, but the law in Washington will have to be reviewed as to what they might accept.

    here's one link with some info:

    http://www.indianalegalservices.org/article/51

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Moving Out

    Welp, thank you. It's definitely going to be hard, and hey, we might not even be able to do it, but I guess that's life! Thank you very much for your information and kindness. I've got all the information I need. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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