Q: If a 17 year old moves out against parents wishes, what can she legally take with her?
My daughter turns 17 in two days and is planning on moving out without our consent. She is already packed and just waiting for her birthday. She has stuff packed that I don’t want her to take (not hers). What does she have legal right to take? Or, what do we legally have to allow her to take. I’m not going to be super particular. I would let her take things she purchased or were given as a gift but there are some things she just thinks she can take because we allowed her to use them. For example, bedding, picture frames, books, a hammer & nails, furniture, etc. Please advise so I know where to draw the line. Thank you.
A: Until she is 18, she does not have a legal right to leave against your wishes. That being said, even if she were 18, she would only have a legal claim to her clothing and toiletries, items she purchased, or items that were given to her as a gift. She would not be able to take furniture or bedding that belongs to the home.
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