What's the Legal Age for a Minor to Move Out

[Taylor Carlile]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Missouri

Someone I know is 17 and is planning to leave home/move soon, get in college, and already have a place to stay. They're unsure if their parent will approve because the parent and child do not always get along. I understand that he is able to get emancipated if it is approved or can just wait until he is 18.
But does he have a right to legally leave home at the age of 17 even if they don't approve of the move.?

[adjusterjack]

But does he have a right to legally leave home at the age of 17 even if they don't approve of the move.?

No.

His parents can report him to the police as a runaway and have the police call him back.

I know, that's extreme, and it might not happen, but it could happen.

He would be wise to just wait until he is 18.

[Disagreeable]

That said, if the parent approves of them starting college and the college is not near home, they do not need to be emancipated to have parental permission to live away and attend college.

[cbg]

Missouri has a quirk in the law that means law enforcement may be reluctant to bring home a 17 year old as long as he or she is in a safe place. However, that law does not prohibit the parents themselves from going to where little Johnny or Janie is and dragging him or her home by her ear. The legal age to leave home is 18. Not 17. 18. Emancipation is not by any stretch of the imagination a guarantee.

Best solution - either get Mom and Dad's permission or stay put till 18.

[aardvarc]

And, unless he's leaving home with a heft bank account, he needs to know that if he pisses his parents off, they are under NO obligation to provide him with their financial information which will be needed for his financial aid applications. That basically means that he's looking at paying for his classes, books, and everything else in CASH, for several YEARS, until he's lived away from home long enough to be considered an independent student, financially. Simply moving out will NOT establish that status for him.