Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Re: 17 year old girl wanting to leave home

Legally, she is still a minor and under your control. If you and she wanted to "remove her disabilities" then a court can do that. It is fairly easy and inexpensibe if everyone agrees.

Practically, if she wants to leave, the police are not likely to enforce the "runaway" laws againt a seventeen year old who will soon be an adult, but two other matters are important.

First, as a minor she will not be able to enter into binding contracts and will find the going much rougher than it will be when she is 18 (which will be rough enough). Second, since she is pregnant, if she is not able to appropriately care for the child, she runs the risk that Child Protective Services can remove the child from her after it is born.

You should call a local family law attorney to discuss your options.

Re: 17 year old girl wanting to leave home

Without actually petitioning a court to remove her disibilities of minority, she is still a minor and under your direction. However, if she chooses she may petition a court to remove her disabilities of minority. Whether she would be succesful, would depend on the circumstances of the case.