Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Iowa

Minors

I just wanted to know, can you legally leave home in the state of Iowa at the age of 16 if you are having problems at home, and want to live alone or with a family other then your own. Is there any way the police can make you go home or send you to a juvenile detention center? If the child has not been in any trouble and has excellent grades but the mother is not stable and moves all over all of the time and doesn't take care of the child properly can the child leave on its own accord?


Asked on 6/06/03, 9:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Minors

Apparently, Iowa does not have an emancipation statute, so the child needs to go down to juvenile court and ask what the options are in that court, if problems at home can't be worked out. Those judges will know what the process is, because certainly there must be one, even if it is not statutory.

Instead of running away, file for emancipation (or whatever process there is for a 16 year old to leave home legally). A lawyer specially in juvenile legal issues should be able to help you.

At that time, request a preliminary order of the court which permits the child to live elsewhere while the case is pending.

The State Bar of Iowa has a referral service at 1-800-532-1108 Iowa only, or 515-280-7429

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Answered on 6/07/03, 5:27 pm


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