Can parents do this?

[AmandaT]

I know a girl who's mother h as remarried. The mother plans to move out of state with her new husband, and plans to leave her daughter to live with a boyfriend, who still lives in his parents' basement.

This wouldn't normally be too unusual except that the daughter is only 16!

Can a mom just leave her 16 year old daughter without making legal arrangements surrounding custody and financial support?

Is this plan legal?

[loyalknight10]

I think it is not legal to leave the children in other's custody without making necessary legal arrangements.

However such cases mostly are not bought to the court as there are no one who are interested in applying legally against such decisions.

[KrisNY]

I'm not sure about legal or not. I think a child at 16 can legally move out of the parents home and declare themselves on their own.

Who will fight this? It's only illegal if someone turns them in. Looks like the daughter wants to stay? and if both parents are ok with it- then it might just be ok.

Is it smart? I think not- I would not leave my 16 y/o daughter behind to live with a boy.

[jimbo]

If the girl becomes emancipated then this would not be a problem I think. I do feel that this lady can not be a very good mother for planning to do this.

[supernaners]

When my brother's now wife was 17 her mother gave her permission to move to florida to live with my mom. The only thing they did was sign a paper saying that my mom was guardian over her, they then had the paper notarized. This was a special case since they had known our family for 30 years. However, the school system down here took the note as acceptance and signed her for classes etc without a problem.
This was the best decision for her, as her family was going through so many issues and our home was more stable. But, I don't know about your friend. You are obviously worried about it so maybe you should have a talk with your friend.

[AmandaT]

I think it is not legal to leave the children in other's custody without making necessary legal arrangements.

However such cases mostly are not bought to the court as there are no one who are interested in applying legally against such decisions.


I have a feeling that it will be reported if the girl starts having problems or the financial situation become strained for the family she will be staying with!

[dayce]

In Oklahoma if a child is 16 and the parent allows them to move out for "I believe it's a duration of at least 2 weeks", then at the end of that period, that legally makes the child his/ her own adult and parent has no control over them. I was 17 when I moved out and moved in with my boy friend who's now my husband of 16 years. My mom didn't know the law, but I did. Each state varies.
I personally don't agree with the law. Under 18 they belong at home.