Can a 17 year old that is pregnant move out and get her own place without her parents’ permission?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a 17 year old that is pregnant move out and get her own place without her parents’ permission?

I’m 17 and 2 months pregnant my guardians (both of my parents are dead) won’t let me go and I want to get emancipated but they say I’ll never get it. I have a truck that’s paid off but no license a permit from Mississippi and I have no job but I get a check each month over $1000 a month till I graduate from my late father. Do I have a chance of getting emancipated? Also can I hire a lawyer being under age and can I stay at a friends house until the court date?

Asked on February 5, 2011 under Family Law, Arkansas

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

Is is possible to have a court order allowing you to move out.  However, you would have to prove that you had a job (not just a monthly check that will stop upon your graduation), a safe place to stay, and various other factors that the court would require.  Just because you are pregnant doesn't automatically emancipate you.  As for staying at you friend's until the court date, you could only stay with your guardians' permission.

Finally, yes you can hire a lawyer to represent you , if you can afford it.  Although there are free/low cost legal services available for cases like this - Legal Aid, a law school clinic, and attorneys who work "pro bono" (i.e. for free).  However, you didn't state just when you turned 17.  If you will be 18 in just a few months than you at that time you will be of "the age of majority" (i.e. legally an adult).  So if you wait you can save yourself all of the legal hassles.  Not to mention that this type of case can take months, so you might turn 18 before the case is even decided.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption