Parent Potentially Leaving Minor Children Without Stable Housing
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 15, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
I think that my mom’s trying to move in with her boyfriend and leave me and my brother behind. Can she legally do that?
No my older brother who is 21 lives with my grandma and I have no uncles or anything that would take us in. Me and my brother are 16 and 17 years old.
Attorney Answer
Yes — in Michigan, your mom has a legal duty to support you and provide safe housing until you and your brother turn 18, and leaving both of you (16 and 17) without stable housing while she remains your legal guardian can amount to neglect that Child Protective Services and the family court can address.
Michigan's family court has jurisdiction to step in whenever a minor is neglected or left without proper custody or guardianship. A parent who moves out and leaves minor children without a safe, stable place to live while still legally responsible for them can trigger that jurisdiction — it's treated as a child-welfare matter for the court and CPS to evaluate, not something a parent is simply free to do.
What you can do:
1. Talk to a trusted adult now, such as a teacher or school counselor, who can help you get support.
2. If your mom does leave, contact Michigan's Children's Protective Services hotline to report that you and your brother have been left without stable housing.
3. Look into whether your 21-year-old brother's household, or your grandmother's, could serve as a stable interim place to stay while things get sorted out.
4. Contact a family-law legal aid organization in Michigan — they can advise you and your brother on your options at no cost.
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Courts & Legal Aid in Michigan
- File or look up a case through the Michigan Courts, which serves the state.
- Get free civil legal help from Michigan Legal Help.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the LawHelp.org to browse free legal information and self-help resources.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
- Visit HUD — Housing Discrimination Complaint to report housing discrimination.
- Visit CFPB Consumer Tools to tenant, mortgage, and eviction resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a parent legally leave minor children without housing to move in with someone else?
Generally, no — a parent typically has an ongoing legal duty to support and house minor children, and leaving them without stable housing while still their legal guardian can amount to neglect.
What can minors do if a parent leaves them without a home?
Contacting child protective services and a trusted adult such as a school counselor is generally recommended to get support and explore options for stable interim housing.
Can family court get involved when a parent leaves minor children behind?
Yes, family courts generally have jurisdiction to address neglect or lack of proper custody when minors are left without adequate care.
