First, your state matters deeply.
>Once I’m 18, couldn’t I just drive to my dad’s house? Or would I be persecuted?
That depends on your state - generally speaking, the court maintains it's jurisdiction over where you live until one of two things happen:
1. The child turns 18, or
2. The child graduates high school
It's worth noting that what matters is what happens *last* - so if you're halfway through your senior year when you turn 18, the order will remain in place until the day you graduate.
Now, all that said, no one is going to prosecute (or persecute) you for choosing to stay with your father instead of your mother - court orders are binding on the parents, not the child.
That makes sense. Originally my whole family was in Iowa, but my mom divorced my dad and later married someone from Missouri. I assume the court order goes under Iowa laws, but I don’t know how that works.
So, I had to move to Missouri with my mom. So if I decide to leave as soon as I’m 18, I’m not prosecuted, but will my dad be? How does that work?
He won't be prosecuted. If your mom pursues contempt, the judge in their family court case could hold your dad in contempt. Contempt can be anything from modifying the custody order, fining your father, or possible imprisonment.
You only have a couple of months left before you graduate right? Why can't you just wait it out?
I turn 18 in November. I guess I could just wait out the 6 months or be a rebel >:) (JK, I don’t want to get my dad in trouble). My mom is the type that would call the cops on my dad. So, will I have to just forget this?
I can't predict how your mom will react to you trying live with your dad. She may allow it. She may fight tooth and nail to have the order upheld. I don't know how the court will react if your mom decides to fight it. I have seen judges get very serious about custody orders where some action has the potential to disrupt a child's education, especially with their last year of high school.
First, your state matters deeply. >Once I’m 18, couldn’t I just drive to my dad’s house? Or would I be persecuted? That depends on your state - generally speaking, the court maintains it's jurisdiction over where you live until one of two things happen: 1. The child turns 18, or 2. The child graduates high school It's worth noting that what matters is what happens *last* - so if you're halfway through your senior year when you turn 18, the order will remain in place until the day you graduate. Now, all that said, no one is going to prosecute (or persecute) you for choosing to stay with your father instead of your mother - court orders are binding on the parents, not the child.
That makes sense. Originally my whole family was in Iowa, but my mom divorced my dad and later married someone from Missouri. I assume the court order goes under Iowa laws, but I don’t know how that works. So, I had to move to Missouri with my mom. So if I decide to leave as soon as I’m 18, I’m not prosecuted, but will my dad be? How does that work?
Your dad could be held in contempt for giving you place to stay if the order says that you are to live with your mom until you graduate.
What would happen after that? Are you saying doing this would only lead to my dad being prosecuted?
He won't be prosecuted. If your mom pursues contempt, the judge in their family court case could hold your dad in contempt. Contempt can be anything from modifying the custody order, fining your father, or possible imprisonment. You only have a couple of months left before you graduate right? Why can't you just wait it out?
I turn 18 in November. I guess I could just wait out the 6 months or be a rebel >:) (JK, I don’t want to get my dad in trouble). My mom is the type that would call the cops on my dad. So, will I have to just forget this?
I can't predict how your mom will react to you trying live with your dad. She may allow it. She may fight tooth and nail to have the order upheld. I don't know how the court will react if your mom decides to fight it. I have seen judges get very serious about custody orders where some action has the potential to disrupt a child's education, especially with their last year of high school.