Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

How To Get An Adult Child Out Of Your House

I would like to know how to get an adult child out of your house. My son is 23 years old and he refuses to work. When he does it is only temporarily to pay bills - then he is usually fired or quits because ''he does not like it.'' He changes credit card companies frequently to pay off bills. He has a horrible work ethic. We have given him money to go to trade school, which he completed but still refuses to work. I have leant him thousands of dollars on his promise that he is going to get a job and he needs it ''to hold him over.'' He is our only child and I do not want to see him hurt, but everyone has a breaking point and we have reached ours. I have told him I wanted rent due to this behavior but of course it made no difference to him. He borrows off of anyone he can and does not pay back. The time has come and it should have been done awhile ago. I kept trying to save him or wait for him to mature. He will be 24 next month his time is up in our eyes. What can we do?? We have called the police on occasion and all they tell us is that they can remove him for the night if he is causing a commotion but that he can come back the next day. We want him out on his own but not to the point where he can never come back. Please help.


Asked on 5/15/06, 10:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: How To Get An Adult Child Out Of Your House

The legal way to force him to leave is through eviction proceedings. His residence would be considered a month to month tennancy. I offer free consultations.

Read more
Answered on 5/16/06, 5:01 am
Roger Traversa Arjont Group (Law Office of Roger Traversa)

Re: How To Get An Adult Child Out Of Your House

I don't even give that much credit. As he doesn't pay rent and has no agreement he has no rights. You don't need legal recourse at this moment. Give him a firm deadline to be out of the house, in writing. On that day, if he's made no motions otherwise then have a truck and some people ready to move his stuff. At that time you can ask the police for assistance to keep the peace. Change the locks and inform him that he has no right to come on the premises without an invitation.

If you think there will be problems you can seek to enforce this with a temporary restraining order.

Finally, I think some counselling is in order on all parts. In my experience you will need some help to understand your part in his issues and he probably has some underlying conditions that contribute to his circumstances.

Regards,

Roger Traversa

email: [email protected]

Read more
Answered on 5/16/06, 9:33 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Pennsylvania