Can parents evict a teenager who turns 18 and refuses household rules?

Full question:

If a teenager fails school/is recommended to leave traditional school and attend GED program, and in addition, refuses to follow household rules, can the parent(s) assert the teen is an adult at age 18 and have the teen move from the house? Does parental responsibility legally end at 18?

  • Category: Minors
  • Date:
  • State: Indiana

Answer:

The age at which a person is considered an adult is known as the "age of majority." In Indiana, this age is 18, with exceptions for those who marry or join the military at 17, both of which require parental permission. At 18, individuals gain full legal rights and responsibilities, including the ability to enter contracts and be liable for their actions.

Parental responsibility typically ends when a child reaches the age of majority. This means that once a teenager turns 18, parents are generally no longer legally obligated to support them. Therefore, if a teenager refuses to follow household rules and turns 18, parents can assert that the teenager is now an adult and may ask them to move out.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Once a teenager turns 18, they are legally considered an adult and parents no longer have the same level of control over them. While parents can still offer guidance and support, they cannot enforce household rules in the same way they could when the child was a minor. This means that an 18-year-old has the right to make their own decisions, including where to live, as long as they are not violating any laws.