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Your options when you cannot live with your parents
Emergency / Runaway Shelter:
Some agencies may offer you a free place to stay overnight. Most cannot let you stay more than a few days without contacting your parents.
What to Do:
Click here for a list of Bay Area Emergency Shelters and other help resources.
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Friend or Relative's Home:
You might choose to live with an adult friend or relative without any court permission. You DO NOT need court permission to live with a friend or relative under many circumstances.
What to Do:
The Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit law allows your adult caretaker to enroll you in school. If s/he is a relative, s/he may also consent to medical care for you. No parental signature required!
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Legal Guardianship:
You might choose to move into the home of an adult (family friend or relative), and that adult might be appointed your guardian. This guardian would act as your parent.
What to Do:
You need an adult relative or friend who will agree to provide you with a home. This must be approved by the court. Click here for more information about Legal Guardianship.
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Emancipation:
If you become emancipated, you are an adult in the eyes of the law even though you are not 18 or older. This means that you can live on your own and have MANY, but not all of the rights and responsibilities of an adult.
What to Do:
- You must be 14 or older & be living on your own with parental approval & have legal source of income & court approval; OR
- Get married; OR
- Join the armed service.
Click here for more information about Emancipation.
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Ward or Dependent Of Court — "Foster Care":
The court appoints either the Department of Human Services or the Probation Department to control your placement. You will be placed in a group home, foster home or sometimes with a relative. You are entitled to both a social worker and attorney.
What to Do:
If you are placed in foster care, make sure to meet with both your social worker and your attorney. If you have not met your attorney, you may request through your social worker or the Foster Care Ombudsman to be appointed one immediately: (800) 846-1602.
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Some of the above options may help you deal with the fact that by law, you CANNOT do the following without the consent of your parent or legal guardian or authorized adult:
- Consent to your own marriage
- Join the Army
- Get a bank loan or credit card
- Work without special restrictions
- Rent your own apartment
- Sue someone in your own name
- Keep money you earn without parental permission
- Consent to some of your own medical treatment
- Get a driver's license
- Live where you choose
Please contact Legal Services for Children before making a decision about any of the above choices — everybody's situation is special. Legal Services for Children can advise you of your legal rights in a free confidential interview.
Legal Services for Children: (415) 863-3762
we accept collect calls
All information on this site is based on California law only, as of June 1, 2005
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