How To Move Out At 17 – Tips For Young People

Life is very complicated and living under the guidance of parents is completely different from living alone. Human beings go through different phases in their life and one very important phase is the teenage especial when they are 17. 17 is a tough age because this is the start of young adulthood and this is the time when the conflicts started with the family rules. Therefore many 17-year old want to move out to explore their life. But, is it legal for a 17-year old to move out and if it’s legal then how can they move out?

Yes, legally you can move out at 17 with help from your parents. Usually, you can get emancipation if you are 16 or above and if the parents or legal guardian allows it. In this type of situation, you won’t be able to live with your parents or guardians anymore. If your parents don’t allow you to live alone then you can file a petition with the court. In that case, you have to show proof that you are self-supporting with a steady income. Different states require proof of a certain amount of money if a 17-year old wants to move out.

How To Move Out At 17?

Moving out at 17 is a very complicated process. There are a few things you have to consider if you want to move out at 17. Moreover, there are a few things you have to clarify, for example – 

1. Whether both parents and child agree to voluntarily move out and live with another family member or friend?

2. Is the child’s goal is to be completely free from the parents or the child is seeking emancipation or separation from the parents?

3. Is the child trying to move out from parent’s home and live into their own home or share expenses with a roommate?

Each of the above circumstances will yield different responses and outcomes regarding the move out of a 17-year old. If parents allow a 17-year old to move out then the process is very simple. But, things can become messy when a 17-year old wants to move out but their their parents don’t allow it. If your age is between 16 and 18 then you can dispose to live alone as if you are an adult. This process is known as emancipation and you can achieve empowerment when – 

1. Your age is 16 or over and your parents or legal guardians allow it

2. You got married

3. If you are 16 and the court grant under the circumstances:

a) Parents are living apart

b) One of the parents has remarried or is living with someone else

c) If it is a high level of conflict with your parents

However, moving out at 17 or being emancipated doesn’t mean you can do anything. You have to wait to become 18-year old to qualify for –

1. Taking a loan, mortgage, or sell real estate

2. Own high-value items, such as jewelry

3. Accept an inheritance

4. Becoming the guardian of a third party

The NRS 129.130 – Decree Of Emancipation

If a 17-year old is determined to emancipate then he or she will be considered as an adult but that does not change the age at which they can drink or gamble. However, they will be able to contract for all sorts of things, including debt and lawsuits. According to NRS 129.130:

1. If the court determines that the petition should be granted, it shall enter a decree of emancipation.

2. A decree so entered is conclusive and binding.

3. Such a decree emancipates the minor for all purposes and removes the disability of minority of the minor insofar as that disability may affect:

1. The incurring of indebtedness or contractual obligations of any kind;

2. The litigation and settlement of controversies;

3. The acquiring, encumbering, and conveying of property or any interest therein;

4. The consenting to medical, dental, or psychiatric care without parental consent, knowledge, or liability;

5. The enrolling in any school or college; and

6. The establishment of the minor’s own residence.

For these purposes, the minor shall be considered in law as an adult, and any obligation the minor incurs is enforceable by and against the minor without regard to his or her minority.

4. Unless otherwise provided by the decree, the obligation of support otherwise owed a minor by his or her parent or guardian is terminated by the entry of the decree.

5. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a decree of emancipation does not affect the status of the minor for any purpose, including the applicability of any provision of law which:

1. Prohibits the sale, purchase, or consumption of intoxicating liquor to or by a person under the age of 21 years;

2. habits gaming or employment in gaming by or of a person under the age of 21 years;

3. Restricts the ability to marry a person under the age of 18 years;

4. Governs matters relating to referrals for delinquent acts or violations of NRS 392.040 to 392.125, inclusive, unless the minor has been certified for trial as an adult pursuant to title 5 of NRS; or

5. Imposes penalties or regulates conduct according to the age of any person.

6. A petition may be filed by any person or by any public agency to void a decree of emancipation on the following grounds:

a) The minor has become indigent and has insufficient means of support; or

b) The decree of emancipation was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or the withholding of material information.

7. The voiding of any decree of emancipation must not alter any contractual obligations or rights or any property rights or interests which arose during the period that the decree was in effect.

Other Ways To Move Out At 17

Apart from legal emancipation, there are few other ways you can move out at 17. They are – 

1. Transfer of Guardianship

2. Custody Modification

3. State Variations

Transfer Of Guardianship

As a teen, you can legally transfer the guardianship from your parents to another family member, or adult. This type of guardianship can be permanent or temporary. When a new guardian is appointed, the guardian will have the same rights and responsibilities regarding the teen’s care as the parents. So the responsibility also includes financial support. Though transferring the guardianship doesn’t completely dissolve the parents’ rights and they still will be responsible for financial support. If the parents agree then it is very easy to transfer the guardianship. If the parents don’t consent then the applied guardian has to file a petition in court and prove that it is in the teen’s best interests to be placed in the guardian’s care. So, it might be a long and drawn-out process if the parents don’t consent.

Custody Modification

If a teen’s parents are divorced then it may be possible for the teen to modify the custody agreement so that he/she can live with the non-custodial parent full-time. If the parents agree to the custody change then this process will be very quick. If both parents agree then the judge will usually sign the order. But, if both parents don’t agree to the custody modification, the non-custodial parent must file a petition to modify custody in court. Moreover, the non-custodial parent has to prove that the modification is in the teen’s best interests.

State Variations

If you are planning to leave your house at 17 then you must understand that the laws governing a teen’s right to leave home vary from state to state. There might be differences regarding – 

1. The age of the majority

2. Whether and how he can become emancipated

3. How to have a third-party guardian appointed 

So before making any decision, make sure you consult with a licensed attorney and see what the attorney says about the laws of the state.

Important Tips On How To Live Your Own At 17

Moving out at 17 might be easy but trust me, it’s not easy to live your own at 17. Living alone without your parents is the most important decision you can make in your 20s. It might be hard to live alone but you can follow the below tips to ensure a good start to your new life – 

1. If you decided to live alone and if you are over 16 years old then you should apply for legal emancipation from your parents

2. Decide how you want to live; do you want to live alone or do you want to live with someone else?

3. Decide whether you want to work, study, or both in real-time?

4. If you start working after moving out then calculate your income and make a budget. If your income is low then it might become impossible to live alone.

5. Make a budget for your income and try to save some money for future use.

6. The monetary issue is the major issue when living alone. Therefore you should budget your income accordingly to avoid monetary issues.

7. Finding the right place to stay is a very important decision because it can save both your time and money. For example, if you work and study then you should find a place that is near your workplace as well as the school.

8. If you are planning to move out at 17 and living your own then you have to learn the basics of survival.

9. Make an inventory list; count what you have and what you need. This way you can decide what inventories you have to buy.

Final Thoughts

When you are moving out, you have to make every decision very carefully because a wrong decision can cause you big problems. Moreover, you have to make sure that your parents are legally accompanying you on your new adventure. Therefore, a decree of emancipation by consent is the best way you can move out at 17.

References:

1. https://bestfinancier.com/how-to-move-out-at-17/
2. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/in-the-home/moving-out/

Last Updated on February 6, 2022 by