Can a 17 year old choose wich parent they want to live with?

Question

i am 17 years old in washington. i live with my dad and i want to live with my mom. i hate my life at my dads and my step mother is the main reason why. from what people tell, i can just tell my dad that i'm not coming home and there is nothing he can do about it. it that true? if so can i get into trouble for it? can my mom?

Answer 1

Technically you can get into trouble from it, and so can your mom if she isn'tt the legal custodial parent.I'm a law student right now, and we have this pop up ALOT!

Do some research on your cities laws and find out what you can do, if it gets to a severe point, and you have the money, get a lawyer and emancipate yourself.

Answer 2

I believe you have the choice at age 14.  You're way past that age.  Just tell your mom to write a letter to your dad, & explain the facts to him.  At you're age, you do have a choice w/who you want to live with.  You might have to go to family court ir it's court ordered, but a child does have a lot of rites.  Good luck to you..:)

Answer 3

Either your wait until you are 18 years old so you can make the decision or get yourself a social worker that can help you, talking  to your mom can help too and if they treat you that bad, keep records. Hope this can help.

Answer 4

IF it is court ordered that you live with your dad than your mom will have to take him back to court.  The judge will listen to what you have to say so you better have good reasons.  Not just whinning.  Know what I mean?  Does your  mom have ample space for you?  A daily diary does stand up in court so do one. Or you can talk to both parents together and tell them what you want and have them go to a lawyers office and have it changed if they agree.

Answer 5

If you don't come home, you will be labeled a runaway, and the police can pick you up. As long as you're a minor, you must live with the parent stipulated by the Court. If you'd like to live with your Mom, ask her to petition the Court for custody. As you're 17, they'll give your preference great weight.

If you can't work this out, just grin and bear it. Soon, you'll be old enough to live where you want.

Answer 6

You most certainly can. Once, you turn 12 in most states you can make this decision. At seventeen you can go and talk to your case worker and say, You no longer want to live with your dad. Make sure your mother is in agreement wit you coming to live with her before you create any problems. Or have have your mom talk to your dad.  At seventeen in some states, guys are consider adults and can make their own decision. This is why most young people over 16 are tried as adults in crime cases. If you go and live with your Mom. Your dad might have to pay her child support as long as you are in school.

Answer 7

talk to your mom and

tell her you want to live

her instead of your dad

and tell your dad you

don't like or feel

comfortable living

with him anymore.

Answer 8

I don't know the laws in Washington, but in Ca. the age is 16. I wouldn't recommend just telling your Dad that your not coming home.... Esp. if there's some custidy arrangement, there could be issues there.  Have you tried just telling youre Dad that you would like trying to live with your Mom. Rather than just not coming home.  But if you really don't want to live there he cant make you stay.