I am not sure if I am posting this in the right place, but I have a question and I don't know where else I should ask it. I am 17 years old and I live with my mother and my sister. More than anything else, I want to move out of my house. It is unbearable living with my mother (due to personal issues). I would like to know if I must wait the 289 days until I turn 18 (yes, I'm counting) or is there any way I can move out before then? If possible, I would like to avoid involving any courts. I was told my a law student that at 17 in Illinois you can live on your own and your parents can't stop you. Is this true?

I am not sure if I am posting this in the right place, but I have a question and I don't know where else I should ask it. I am 17 years old and I live with my mother and my sister. More than anything else, I want to move out of my house. It is unbearable living with my mother (due to personal issues). I would like to know if I must wait the 289 days until I turn 18 (yes, I'm counting) or is there any way I can move out before then? If possible, I would like to avoid involving any courts. I was told my a law student that at 17 in Illinois you can live on your own and your parents can't stop you. Is this true?

The law student needs to take some more classes, because they’re wrong. Until the day you turn 18 your parents get to decide where you live. You cannot legally leave home without their permission unless you’ve been emancipated in some manner, such as marriage (which requires parental consent) or court decree.

Here’s a link to information about Illinois 'emancipation of mature minors act':

http://www.bostoncoop.net/lcd/emancipation/illinois.html

However, please note this:

No order of complete or partial emancipation may be entered under this Act if there is any objection by the minor, his parents or guardian.

So, the first question is are your parents going to object?

Well that sucks...yes my mother would very much object. Strangely enough, my mom would probably not object to me getting married. However, I don't think my boyfriend would go for it just yet haha...guess I'm stuck at home.

Just stay out of the line of fire as much as you can. I know lots of teenagers that between school, work, extra-curricular activities, etc are rarely even home other than to sleep.

Good luck. The year will pass before you know it.