Legal Question in Family Law in New York

Re: Age of Majority

Absent a separate court order, such a rule requiring an adult to live at home is uneforceable, however there is also no legal requirement for the parents to fund the lifestyle of an adult living outside their house once he reaches 18 years of age.

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Re: Age of Majority

Yes, your friend's parent's can legally attempt to influence and control their child's conduct after age 18. Unless your friend is otherwise determined by a Court Order, to be emancipated, since the age of "Majority" in NY is 21, NOT age 18.

Please note, A parent, in NY, is responsible for and is obligated to support their "children" until age 21 not age 18. Likewise, a "child" has a "legal" obligation to obey their parents, at least until such time as the parents are no longer responsible for and obligated to support the "child," (which, as indicated, in NY does not end until age 21.

However, if your friend, at 18, is entirely self supporting and he chooses to leave his parent's home, supervision and control, the Court is unlikely to enforce your friend's obeyance or demand that he return to his parent's home.

Good luck,