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What age does our daughter have to be to leave her grandmother's home without our permission?

What age does our daughter have to be to leave her grandmother's home without our permission?

Q: Can a minor leave home without parental permission?

In South Carolina, a minor cannot legally leave home without parental permission until they reach the age of majority, which is eighteen. If they leave before this age, you may have legal grounds to bring them back, depending on the circumstances.

Q: What are the legal rights of custodians in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, custodians have the legal right to make decisions regarding the child's upbringing, including where they live, their education, and healthcare. This authority continues until the child reaches eighteen or is legally emancipated.

Q: What should I do if someone tries to take my child without permission?

If someone attempts to take your child without your permission, you should contact local authorities immediately. As the legal custodian, you have rights to protect your child, and law enforcement can assist in ensuring their safety.

Full question:

Recently, we allowed our 16 year old adopted daughter go live with her birth grandmother in South Carolina. Her boyfriend and his family have been trying to have her run away or do whatever to come back to Missouri. We decided to allow her to live with her birth grandmother because she seemed to want to so bad. What are our rights if they go and get her, send her a plane ticket, or otherwise bring her back to Missouri. Also, could you please tell me what age she has to be to leave her grandmother's home without our permission?

Category: Minors
Subcategory: Age of Majority
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Missouri

Answer:

A child is subject to the care of a custodian until they reach the age of majority or are emancipated. In South Carolina, the age of majority is 18.

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

What happens if my child wants to return to their birth family?

If your child expresses a desire to return to their birth family, it is important to consider their wishes. However, as the legal custodian, you have the right to make decisions about their care until they reach the age of majority, which is eighteen in South Carolina. If you have legal custody, you can prevent them from leaving without your permission.