At 17 years old, you may feel like an adult. You might have finished school, you probably have a job, and you may even have children, but can you move out at 17?
Most 17 year olds have the means to move out, but it is not actually legal to do so without becoming emancipated. At the age of 17, your parents or legal guardians are still responsible for you and have to pay your expenses and provide you with accommodation.
Can You Move Out At 17: Emancipation
Emancipation is the only way to legally move out of home at the age of 17. We will provide a brief guide to emancipation for children and parents wondering, “Can you move out at 17?”
Am I Eligible For Emancipation?
In order to be eligible for emancipation, you must meet the following requirements:
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- You need to be of statutory age to apply for emancipation. This differs from state to state, but in most states is 16.
- In order to become emancipated, the court must see that you are mature enough to care for yourself and handle adult matters.
- The minor must show that they can financially support themselves. This is not just about showing you have a job or receive benefits, but that you will have enough to pay for necessary expenses like rent, food, and essentials.
- You need to be of statutory age to apply for emancipation. This differs from state to state, but in most states is 16.
During the emancipation process, the minor will have to serve their parents or legal guardian notice of their emancipation application to give them a chance to respond. The case may go to court so that both parties can present their arguments for or against emancipation. In some states, if the 17 year old is married or in the military, they may be automatically emancipated.
Benefits of Emancipation
Most people asking, “can you move out of home at 17” do not want to undertake the rigorous process of emancipation. While you are practically an adult, it may seem like too much to be financially and legally responsible for yourself. However, there are a lot of benefits to emancipation for people in extreme family dynamics. If your family are controlling or abusive, you may benefit from emancipation. It will give you the capacity to consent when signing legal documents and will separate your finances from your legal guardians. This is why it is common to hear about child stars becoming emancipated while they are teenagers. They can then enter into contracts as they wish rather than having to take gigs that their parents want. They can also control their money and stop their parents or legal guardians from squandering it.
It is important to note that while you can move out at 17, if you become emancipated, you are still unable to vote or legally consume alcohol until the minimum legal age.