Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

17, need to leave home

I'm 17 and I have been diagnosed with ADD, but no longer need medicine, and my mother isn't abusive, and she does love me. But I find it in my best interest to leave, and live with my friend. My mother doesn't have a steady income, and doesn't know how to handle money well. So I end up hungry most of the time. Also she has diabetes, and sleeping disorder as well as she smokes, so her health is steadily going down, and she isn't doing anything to change it, or at least she isn't showing it. I have to keep the house clean, and take care of my 2 sisters, as well as I, and her sometimes. If I were to leave, she would be forced to get a job, and finally take care of herself, as well as give me the opportunity to figure ''my'' life out, instead of always worrying about hers. However she wont see this, and will never let me leave, so is there a way for me to leave, without her being able to drag me home, or at least not call the cops?


Asked on 9/10/07, 5:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: 17, need to leave home

Until you turn 18, you are legally under the control of your mother, unless you marry, enter the military, or can demonstrate that you are "emancipated" and entitled to live on your own. To do this, you would need to get a court order after filing a petition and trying to prove to the court that you are old and mature enough to be on your own. Not an easy task. If you take it upon yourself to leave, the police will pick you up if she requests them to do so.

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Answered on 9/11/07, 10:09 am


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