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Missouri Juvenile Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I’m 17 and my fiancé is just now 22. Can we get married?

We’re getting married in February. We have parental consent. I just wanna make sure it’s okay.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Sep 17, 2018

If you have parental consent, then you may marry at 17.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Can a 17 year old be legally engaged with a 22 year old?
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Sep 10, 2018

They can be engaged, but without consent from a guardian, they will need to hold off on getting married until the younger party turns 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: When is the legal age to move out of parents home in missouri

Not liking living situation and would like to do better

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 13, 2018

A child may move out of his or her parents home when he or she reaches eighteen or becomes emancipated.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I am turning sixteen in a few weeks and i would like to know the soonest i can move out of my parents house
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Aug 13, 2018

You can move out without their permission when you are eighteen. Otherwise you will need to become emancipated or have someone else file for guardianship over you.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Are there any Lawyers interested in a case that just has to be presented? Two years researched. ProBono. Mid Missouri

This case would go to the Supreme Court. It is newsworthy. Civil rights violations. Statues ignored. Policies and procedures not followed. False documents presented to the court. This needs to be brought to the media's attention. Background in Family Law would be a plus. It is a very long... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Jun 25, 2018

There are approximately 80 cases a year which are argued in the Supreme Court. About another 100 cases are resolved without argument.

There are about 7,000 to 8,000 cases a year filed with the Supreme Court. The likelihood of getting a case to the Supreme Court is about 1%.

I...
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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Hi my nephew lives in Colorado with his parents and he is 16 and wanting to leave and come live with me in Missouri.

Is he able to leave legally at the age of 16 with out having to go threw an emancipation?

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jun 13, 2018

No, he will have to be emancipated or have his parents' permission to live with you. If you believe his parents are unwilling or unable to care for him, you can seek a temporary guardianship over him, but that will have to be done in Colorado.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: If your 17 and a 15 year old wants to fight you, can you fight them?
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on May 31, 2018

No, you can be charged as an adult. Try to resolve your conflict with words.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Can my son move out if I say no and he's 17? I'm in Missouri
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on May 21, 2018

No, if he tries to move away without your permission, then you can call the police and have him brought home or detained in juvenile as a runaway.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: What is the runaway laws in Missouri for a 17 year old?

I am 17 years old and I don’t want to stay at home anymore. It’s not a healthy environment. I did research and I found that in some states you can’t be forced to come back home at 17 if you runaway. I’m also aware that I’m not the age of majority. I just can’t wait until 18. It’s a... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on May 21, 2018

Until you are 18, then you will be considered a runaway if you try to leave home; your mother can call the police and have you placed in juvenile detention. You will have to have your friend seek guardianship and quickly if you want to move out.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Is it illegal to hold a child in foster care if court ordered guardianship was given to a family member?

I just got court ordered guardianship for my niece and she is in foster care would if be illegal if i went to get her?

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 15, 2018

Once the juvenile court gets involved, the juvenile court has custody of a child regardless of your guardianship status. You will need to attend the court hearings and FST meetings to be granted custody and have the action dismissed by the juvenile court. Talk to an attorney who practices in the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: My boyfriend has been in juvie three time cause of an exparte how long will he be there
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Apr 2, 2018

How long he will be there depends on the conviction and the judge. Juvenile court can maintain jurisdiction over a person until they are 21.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: My 14 year wants to go to jail and is acting out because of this. What do we do
Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Mar 19, 2018

It sounds like there is a lot of background there, that needs to be addressed. Get your kid in counseling.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Domestic Violence and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Ex-husband punched son in the face while I was talking to my son on the phone. The call was recorded. Police did nothing

My son had a bruise/redness/scratch by left eye. He also slapped the right side of his face leaving handprint and bloodied his lip. The police officer didn't believe my son, even though I told them the incident had been recorded. No pics taken by officer, I took some inside the police... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Mar 19, 2018

If the officer did not call social services, then you should. Also contact an attorney local to you ASAP about seeking a child protection order for your son and possibly to modify you custody order so you son is not living with your ex.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: If I'm 15 and I move with my dad, but my mom has residential custody, can juvie take me away if she has called them?

The mom is an unfit mother, and I wan to stay home alone for one week, so my dad can work. I have food and the proper amount of needs to stay.

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Feb 26, 2018

If the court has given residential custody to your mother, then you must abide by the parenting plan should she decide to enforce it. Talk to your dad and an attorney local to you about your dad seeking a Motion to Modify to have residential custody switched to your father.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: How long can my child be held in juvenile without being charged for a crime

My child's mother turned him trying to deflect attention from her daughter who got in trouble at school for touching a boy's private area. She claimed that my son touched her over a year ago but he has been living with me for almost 2 years now the courts will not release him to my... View More

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Feb 11, 2018

The detention facility can hold a juvenile for 24 hours without a court order. With a court order, they can hold the juvenile until they are 21 or they become in compliance with the order. It sounds as though their are conditions already attached to his release, so I assume a court order is in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: My daughter 17 moved ,wont tel me were she is,and she cut herself month ago what are my opinion to get her help?

Im in missouri she said it been a month sence she cut herself

Lydia Seifner
Lydia Seifner
answered on Jan 31, 2018

You can report her as a runaway. She's not allowed to live on her own until she is 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I'm 16 get I petition for a Paternity test if I think I know who my father is?

My mother was drunk when she got pregnant with me. My mom had been sleeping with a few guys at the time. We have had a paternity test on all of them except one. This one happens to be my Aunt Heather's (my mom's sister) ex husband, and my cousins father. We look almost Identical

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Dec 6, 2017

Unless you're emancipated by a court, only your mother or legal guardian can file a petition to determine paternity on your behalf. Ultimately, an attorney will probably not work with you directly because you're not old enough to hire an attorney on your own.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: What rights does a 16 years old female have to leave home.... (17 next month)?
Nrupa Patel
Nrupa Patel
answered on Jul 10, 2017

There are no rights...she is still a minor. If she leaves and parents don't know where she is, parents can call the police to make a runaway report an any law enforcement officer that comes across her would have to take her into custody and take her back home.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Family Law and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: Is what my mum says disowning?And if so, is it legal to leave the house after being disowned?

I am a trans guy transitioning from male to female. Recently I came out to my mum who says she'll never accept me. Is that technically disowning and if so, is it legal to leave the house after being disowned?

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Apr 28, 2017

Disowning a child and abandoning a child are legally different. If she stops providing you food or kicks you out of your home, etc., then you need to call local child protection services or the police. You can even tell a teacher or someone else your close with that you need help. Talk with your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Missouri on
Q: I live in Missouri, I am 18 in less than six months. I am currently in states custody.

If been in and out of facilities and residentails for teens since I first came into states custody which was when I was 14. I am currently a run away, I have a history of running away. I live in Missouri and am 18 in less than 6 months. Is there any chance I can get emancipated!?

Kristen Thurmond
Kristen Thurmond
answered on Apr 28, 2017

The short answer is no. Emancipation is for anyone under the age of 18 who is able to hold a job, stay out of trouble, has no one else able to support them, and needs the status in order to secure a residence. You don't meet any of those since the state has custody of you, you are in trouble... View More

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