Legal Question in Family Law in New York

17 year old leaving home

can a 17 year old leave his or her household legally, without having to worry about the parents/ and or grandparents legally ''forcing'' them to stay on the premisis?


Asked on 4/20/02, 8:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jean Mahserjian Jean M. Mahserjian, Esq., PC

Re: 17 year old leaving home

A seventeen year old can leave home without being forced to return. A family court will not address a PINS situation (person in need of supervision) for any child over 16. Unless the 17 year old has committed a crime, the police agencies cannot take them into custody. Thus, there are no resources for the parents to turn to to compel the child to return home. Many 17 year olds do return, after trying to make it on their own and realizing that they actually have it pretty good at home - roof over their head, food, clothing, family members who care and love them, etc.

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Answered on 4/21/02, 9:23 am


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