Richmond, VA asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia

Q: Can a parent legally restrict an 18 year old that still lives under their roof from leaving the house.

Are their any laws that prevent a parent of an 18 year old from going to see their lover or friends

Also are there any laws that prevent a toxic, controlling parent from controlling an 18 year old’s life

3 Lawyer Answers
Afsana Chowdhury
PREMIUM
Afsana Chowdhury
Answered
  • Fairfax, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: Once they’re 18, they’re an adult and get to make their own decisions. You cannot force an adult to stay in your home if they don’t want to. But you can make an adult leave your home as long as you follow the law in doing so.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Alexandria, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: I regret that I do not handle family law matters or restrictions on 18 year olds. Sorry.

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
Answered
  • Vienna, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: Parents' house. Parents' rules.

If the 18 year old doesn't like it, there is a whole world out there they can live in outside the parents' house.

If the 18 year old thinks parents are toxic and controlling, wait until they deal with debt collectors, employers, and all the other people necessary to live independently.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.