Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

i'm going to turn 17 on October 9th and i live in Texas.

i want to move in with my mom but the problem is my grandma adopted me and she doesn't want me going back to my mom.

my grandma has called the police on me many times and they've told me i cant leave until i'm 18. but i called to the police department in Mcallen tx and i spoke to a police officer and he said i can legally leave my house to go live with my mom as long as i let my grandma know where im going. and i know for a fact my grandma is going to call the police if i try leaving. i also talked to my social worker at school she said i couldnt leave either. ive read online that i can and my mom also called a lawyer because when i called myself they didnt take me seriously. the lawyer i spoke to said for me to focus on school and not think about moving out. i dont want to move out to do what i want..i just want to be with my mom because she treats me better than my grandma. i feel like my grandma emotionally abuses me.

ive even asked people at my school who left at 17 and they said the police didnt do anything...i honestly dont know what i can do anymore because im getting a bunch of different answers and im confused. i just want to make sure i wont get put in jail.

somebody please help :/


Asked on 9/17/14, 7:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

In Texas 17 is still a minor for civil purposes. For criminal, you are now an adult. TX law is confusing in this regard.

I have no idea what the police, sheriff or constable will do with a 17 year old. Call them.

Their policies vary due to the person in charge.

If grandma adopted you and your bio mom's parental rights were removed, then your bio mom is a legal "stranger" to you. She has no legal rights to you.

The moment you turn 18 you can do whatever you want and live wherever you want.

But grandma does not have to let you take anything (phone, computer, clothes, furniture, jewelry) with you when you leave unless you can prove that it was a gift or inheritence or if she allows you to take it.

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Answered on 9/30/14, 8:53 am


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