You daughter is a minor until the age of 18 and she cannot move out without first being declared emancipated by a court. Emancipation in Missouri can be done in three ways: First, you (as the parent) can relinquish your parental rights and agree to the emancipation. Second, if your daughter is already living alone and supporting herself than the law may imply that you waived your parental rights (but she would still need a court order saying she is emancipated). Or third, a minor with a change of status may be emancipated as well. A change of status would be getting married or joining the military.

Yes, if you are 17 and live in Missouri, you are allowed by law to leave home without your parents permission. Additionally, the parents or parent is still required to maintain health insurance for the teenager until he or she turns 18. The teenager is not permitted to own a car (car title in the teen's name) until they are 18. If the teen leaves home in his/her car against their parents permission, the parents cannot report the car stolen. The parents can, however, repossess the car legally if they know where it is. This is the response given to me by the Callaway Sheriff's Office to the same question. It's truly a mystery why law officers make such statements to underaged persons, especially when the information is completely wrong. The legal age of majority in Missouri is 18. The juvenile code designates a 17-year-old as being an "adult". This is for judicial purposes only and does not supercede the legal age of majority. Parents of minor who leave the family home against parental wishes may obtain a court order to have the minor returned to their custody. Or they may choose to petition the court to be relieved of their financial and legal obligations to said minor. They are NOT responsible for medical or living expenses of a minor who leaves the family residence against their wishes. I practice law in the state and have for 25 years, Therefore I am quite certain of the definition of Missouri laws pertaining to underaged persons. If a minor could leave home under such circumstances and the parents still be responsible for them or the MO. juvenile courts would not be backlogged by a multitude of incorrigible minors and runaway cases. In regards to a vehicle, it is irrelevant as to the relationship of the person taking a vehicle against the owner's wishes. In Missouri, whomever holds title to the vehicle is the owner, and they may take whatever action they choose to recover the vehicle including filing a stolen vehicle report.

No, but it is understandable why she has this misconception. The age of majority in Missouri is 18. However, Missouri has a law that terminates jurisdiction of juvenile courts at the age of 17. What this means is that your daughter will be treated as an adult for ALL crimes that she commits once she turns 17, but she still is under the control of her parents until age 18.

In Missouri at 17 you are no longer able to be prosecuted as a minor. Because of this it is impossible for a 17 year old to commit a crime that applies to minors. While 18 is the official age of majority in Missouri (and it's used for the sake of crimes committed by adults regarding the minor such as selling cigarettes and porn) it is effectively 17 because of this loophole. It would be illegal for your daughter to leave your home because she is a minor except for the fact that she can not be prosecuted for that crime. This makes it effectively legal. She CAN move out. Attempting to stop her can get you charged with harassment or anything else you do trying to get her back. This is something that is special for Missouri. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. Understand that your daughter is a person too. Just because you're her parent does not mean that you are always right any more than she thinks that she's always right. You're both wrong sometimes and you need to grant the possibility that she's doing the right thing. My wife and I eloped when she was 17 (we had been together for 3 years before that). Her parents were furious and tried to do everything they could to fight us. That cost them a relationship with their daughter for a year or so. Even after that it took a very long time to repair the damage they did with their under-handed tricks like submitting false reports about living conditions and such that got them in trouble as well as infuriated us. It's 3 years later now. We have had a wonderful marriage. One of those marriages that make other couples jealous and lead to them complaining to us about how they don't think it's fair that we get along so well and love each other so much. 3 years later we're still going very strong. We have good jobs with numerous qualifications, my wife is on a path to medical school in 2 1/2 years, I'm also half-way to my bachelors degree but I'm currently working so that she can dedicate herself to school. My wife is currently 6 months pregnant BY CHOICE. We planned it and are very well prepared. We'll be homeschooling (which we are also prepared for) and can afford the baby just fine. Her parents' marriage broke up (they married in their early 30s) and her mother has moved to where we live so that we can provide her with the support she needs to establish her independence since she was a housewife all those years. Since the elopement we have extremely good relations with both of her parents and we all couldn't be happier. By the way, 3 years ago I was living in poverty, I was a punk with a 2-part goatee, frayed khaki pants, patches and iron-on designs and words on my shirts, and such. I was the kind of person that was followed around in stores by salespeople for no other reason than how I looked. No average parent in their right mind would have let their daughter move in with me. My wife's parents wouldn't trade me for any son-in-law in the world now. The funny thing is I still have the frayed khakis, a full beard (no more goatee. Shaving's too much work for no practical gain), my shirts aren't decorated but I still get plain T-shirts from hobby-lobby and thrift shops because I don't like paying to advertise for someone, and I'm still pretty much a punk. The only difference now is that all those crazy things everyone said we were just saying because we were young and stupid, well, we turned out to be right after all and those things gained us the happiness and success we have today. Please, give her a chance to make her own decisions. Give her constructive advice and you may help her make the right decisions, just don't give orders. The last thing you want her to do is marry someone just because you told her not to.

If she's 17, the best thing you can do is support her in all her faults and decisions. If you decide not to, you must then be prepared to reap the whirlwind of negative repercussions that will ensue and possibly destroy the relationship you have with her. Weigh the pros and cons; A) you keep her from doing what she believes is right and she resents you for it and leaves at 18 without a second thought as to your opinion in the matter and sees you seldom, if ever. B) You help her leave and show your love through actions and support and strengthen your relationship ensuring that you always have a daughter. Seems pretty obvious to me!!

I am a 17 year old girl I moved out of my mothers house the day I turned 17. I also live in Missouri. In Missouri you ARE age of consent at 17 years old. I live with my boyfriend who is 24. The law is at 17 you can move out of your parents home and date anyone of any age. Trust. I'm with a 24 year old living with him.... Its Perfectly fine..

In the state of Missouri, a child can leave home at the age of 17, and it is legal. My stepson did this and we spoke with the sheriff and juvenile authorities. Nothing we could do. It is a stupid law.

I'm not exactly sure about this, I also would like to know about this subject. I've been told that a 17 yr. old can become emancipated from the parent. But I would also like to know the legal aspects according to the laws in the state of Missouri. Just, need to know what has to be done to make it legal, what does the 17 yr. old have to do and what are the parents options,(can the parent stop them from becoming emancipated?????????

In Missouri, a child can leave home at the age of 17, and parents have no recourse. However, the parents are still legally responsible for the child until the child attains the age of 18.

"Missouri 17 Law" Currently in the state of Missouri a 17 year old is not considered a runaway if they leave home without parental consent. Teens are not only allowed to run away/ move out of the parents home for ANY reason they see fit, but are actually backed by law enforcement.The parents not only have NO recourse, but can face penalties if they take steps to make their child return home.This practice is commonly referred to as "The 17 Law". Laws need to be enacted to state that anyone under the age of 18 is a child/minor unless emancipated or married. The law should consider anyone under 18 a runaway if they leave home without parental consent.Law enforcement should assist the parents efforts to return the child home.Anyone who aides a runaway,and who refuses to cooperate with parents and law enforcement efforts to return the child home should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, harboring a runaway, and possibly obstruction of justice. The "17 Law" and law enforcement practices that enable it are a slap in the face of RESPONSIBLE parenting. The state of Missouri needs to give responsible parents back the tools necessary to appropriately raise our children. i looked it up on google because i will be 17 in a couple of months

ok here in the state of missouri a female can move out and pretty much do whatever they want at the age of 17! a male however has to wait until he is 18. something bout the maturity level or something.. so yea its true swear to goodness no lie.. been there done that regret it and she will to... its not fun payin bills and havin to support yourself all alone. just talk to her and tell her what all she will have to face out there..it's not fun and it's not easy

I think it is all crap. all you 17 year old persons do not realize there are peaople outside your box that get hurt by your actions. not me her mom, or her dad, her 12 year old brother who loves her, her 7 year old sister who has brittle bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta and has had over 250 fractires and 35 surgeries and used to look up to her for support. Her family pictures don't include her anymore. What else can I do> my 17 year old daughter has Bipolar II and she also hads borderline Personality Disorder is a Senior in Highscool Failing Algebra and Language Arts. so......what ever "Y'all" thats all for now.

yes actually she can. Im seventeen as well and i am currently moving out of my parents house, my mom didnt believe me and when she called the cops they told her that she cant do anything.