Can people under 18 live alone?

<p>I think our state has a general law that people under 18 can not live by themselves,but i heard many students live by themselves,is that mean I don’t really need to follow it?
Thank you!</p>

<p>In all states, you cannot sign binding contracts. Most landlords will not rent to you. Insurers will not sell you renter’s insurance. Your parents are still legally responsible for your physical well-being until you reach 18, the age of majority.</p>

<p>It’s not that you “don’t really need to follow it.” It’s that the decks are stacked so that, as a practical matter, you must follow it.</p>

<p>Many students are over 18.</p>

<p>If you have the money and can pay for an apartment, and all that goes with living on your own, and you have someone who is willing to rent to you, then you can live without your parents. There would be no reason for the authorities to be aware of you if you are living somewhere. But chedva is right that most places will not rent to minors. It really depends on how far under 18 you are and if you can act and live as an adult.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>There’s a procedure in our state to be declared an “emancipated minor” – it requires a petition to the court and proof that the minor is on their own & is self supporting – but once “emancipated” the minor can legally enter contracts. see: [California</a> Courts: Self-Help Center: Families & Children: Emancipation: Emancipation Questions & Answers](<a href=“Site Has Moved”>Site Has Moved)</p>

<p>I’d also note there are a number of ways that a person can rent housing without anyone asking for proof of age – though renting a room in an apartment or house would be a lot easier than renting the apartment. Basically, other students looking for a roommate may be happy to rent out a room to a fellow student, and its possible that there is no formal lease signed.</p>

<p>Every state has emancipated minor procedures, I believe.</p>

<p>OP,</p>

<p>Do you mean you want to live by yourself at college instead of with roommates, or do you mean that you want to move out of your parents’ house and be independent? Do you have a way of supporting yourself if that is the case?</p>

<p>Thank you!
No,i am a 11th grader in high school,i want to move just for the school system.</p>

<p>OP,
Have you spoken with your parents about this issue? With their help, I suspect things could be worked out. One opton that also might work is to have your folks rent a room in a house for you that’s located in the school district that you want. I know several nice folks that rent rooms out to students (tho all have already graduated from HS). Anyway, that frees up more options & is generally considerably cheaper than living alone or with a random room mate you don’t know. Some folks that rent out rooms also offer food as part of the package, as well as utilities.</p>

<p>Most school systems consider the residence of the student to be that of the parent or guardian; it’s not that easy to “just rent a room” somewhere else. Unless your parents give up all parental rights, which include the right to be involved in your education, you may not be able to do what you propose anyway. Have you checked with the other school system itself?</p>

<p>Besides, changing schools for 1 1/2 years may not be a good idea anyway. Is the other school system really that much better to overcome the disruption? And if it is that much better, are you prepared for it?</p>

<p>Chevda raises very good points. A discussion with your folks is the place to start. If that’s not possible, talk with your school counselor about options to enrich your learning, including possible on-line courses, concurrent HS & college coursework, etc.</p>

<p>I don’t believe a student can just rent a room and qualify to attend school in that district.</p>

<p>OTOH - Several years ago I was living in a suburb with a really top school district (not the one I live in now) and some people who lived in the city bought a house in my neighborhood where their teens lived (without an adult) and attended that district’s schools. Pretty expensive for the parents, though.</p>

<p>I think you would need an adult on a lease, but, hmmm, maybe if you and an older sibling lived there, it could be considered your residence. I wonder how this works.</p>

<p>Most school districts will want to see “proof of residency” - signed lease, utility bills, etc. from the parent before they will enroll a student.</p>

<p>Talk to your parents. If you are talking moving from one school district to another then you may fall under schools of choice. This is fairly common in my area and if the school you want to attend has openings available is not a terribly difficult thing to do - although you may need your parents to make the request. My kids did schools of choice when they were in elementary school so they could attend the school that was close to their babysitter. If you are talking about renting a place so that you can graduate from a Michigan high school and you aren’t currently living in Michigan…</p>