I am currently 17. I live in a foster home with several other kids(all different ages) and I am troubled with something right now. I am of perfectly good health (physically and meantally) and am a fully capable person. However, I keep getting different stories about how long DFS has custody over me. Am I free of their custody when I turn 18? or do I have to be emancipated?? Please help me! I just want some truthful answers!! Thank You all! :eek:

What state are you in? If you are in a state that the age of majority is 18, then you are "on your own" at 18 unless there is some reason that has been ruled solely in your case, such as a handicap of sime kind. Doesn't sound like that is the case.

well here in MO, once you turn 17, you can move out but your parents are still legally responsible... I dont know if it applies even to those in DFS custody or not...though I don't really care. I'm not interested in running off or anything. I just want to have control over my life when I turn 18. There is no handicap, so that is not a problem at all. But someone told me I have to be emmancipated to leave when I turn 18... and it just doesn't sound right. You see, my foster mom is friends with all the case workers and I believe she may be an influence in all of this... whaich upsets me. I have traveled a kind of difficult road all my life and I feel as though this is the last thing I need right now when I am about to enter the real world and face the obstacles that come with it. I just really need to know whether I can just leave at age 18 or not and I can't get any definite or straight answers out of anyone of the people who are supposed to guide and support me.