My son does not listen to me at all. He does nothing but wants the world from me. He is a junior in High School, but does not go very often. He has destroyed my property and has taken my car keys from me on several occasions, thus making me late for work and potentially costing me my job. I have asked/told him to leave, but he will not leave. I am at wits end... What are my options? Any help would be appreciated.

Is this new behavior? When did it begin?

I wish it was... but, it has been going on for at least 3 yrs now. We have been to therapists/counselors but nothing has helped and I can not afford to keep spending the money. I am a prisoner in my own house.

You cannot evict him as he is 17 and not the legal age of 18 to live on his own. Where is his father in this?

Some of the Experts who deal with legal questions will pop in eventually. Please be patient.

Meanwhile, what did any of the counselors advise you to do that DID work? Did your son go along to counseling or did he refuse? Has he officially dropped out of school? Or what is the school saying/doing about his truancy?

Hello,
Laws are different in each state but this website may help if you're interested in surrendering your parental rights to the child thus making him a ward of the state until he is 18 years old.

http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section4/ch26/sec4ch26sub4.htm

I wish it was...but, it has been going on for at least 3 yrs now. We have been to therapists/counselors but nothing has helped and I can not afford to keep spending the money. I am a prisoner in my own house.

When the child acts up and breaks things in anger are you calling the police? Its domestic violence and they can be arrested for it.

As noted, you cannot evict him. But you may be able to have him placed in the care of the state. Talk to his therapists about what options you have in that regard.

Hello,
Laws are different in each state but this website may help if you're interested in surrendering your parental rights to the child thus making him a ward of the state until he is 18 years old.

Procedures for Pursuing Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) - Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) - Section 4 Chapter 24 CWM , Out-of-Home Care (http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section4/ch26/sec4ch26sub4.htm)

You do understand that in your recommendation that it can cost thousands just to get it going and it doesn't remove responsibilities of the parent while the child is in the system. So they will be asking for continuing payments until the child is adopted out or emancipated.

Your only actual recourse is and should be calling the police when he does these things, if he takes your car, call it in as car theft and have him arrested, if he hurts you, call the police and have him arrested. Arrested and in juv is out of the house.

* His father will not take him. He has not been a part of his life since the age of 5.
* We no longer go to counseling or therapists. He would tell them lies and tell them what they wanted to hear in each of the sessions. Once we got back to the car he would laugh and tell me that I was really screwed. It was not worth the $25 per session that I couldn't really afford anyway. He is carrying a 1.0 gpa in High School. He has not dropped out completely. I tell him I will sit down with him to help, but he tells me to Fxxx Off and doesn't do his homework.
* I am interested in having the state take over. - I will look at the website link you provided. Thank you
* I have called the police numerous times. Broken glass, windows, doors, holes in walls and doors. They tell me that I can do nothing until he is 18. I have stopped calling the police.
* I do not have thousands of dollars to "start the process"

Your only actual recourse is and should be calling the police when he does these things, if he takes your car, call it in as car theft and have him arrested, if he hurts you, call the police and have him arrested. Arrested and in juv is out of the house.

* I have called numerous times. He does not take my car - He takes my car keys, he blocks my path from leaving (doesn't hit me) - traps me in my room or bathroom and will not let me out.

Hello,
Laws are different in each state but this website may help if you're interested in surrendering your parental rights to the child thus making him a ward of the state until he is 18 years old.

Procedures for Pursuing Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) - Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) - Section 4 Chapter 24 CWM , Out-of-Home Care (http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section4/ch26/sec4ch26sub4.htm)


The parent remains responsible for the child until/unless the child is emancipated. "Surrendering rights" does NOT get the parent out of the situation, although it does remove the child from the home. In many (if not all) States unless there is a Court Order the child can return to the home and the care of the parents at the child's will, on the child's timetable.

The Police and legal system are a very viable recourse.

* I have called numerous times. He does not take my car - He takes my car keys, he blocks my path from leaving (doesn't hit me) - traps me in my room or bathroom and will not let me out.


Then I would file a Petition in Court stating he is out of control and ask that the Court system take charge of him.

He is a Person in Need of Supervision in my State.