emancipation!

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Okay, so I'm actively seeking emancipation from my parents (bad family situation, yadda yadda, I won't bore you with unwanted details, but will answer questions if asked), but I'm not exactly sure where to start! I'm particularly confused about what kind of attorney to contact. Any suggestions/advice/helpful tips?

I have no idea how long this legal stuff takes, but it may be that you'd reach 18 before your case was finished anyway.

Are you sure you wouldn't be better off by just running away til you're 18? If you're ready to be emancipated you wouldn't end up on the street, would you? Family can stink when you're a teenager, but they can be useful later even if they are jerks. I was once saved from homelessness by my very difficult parents who let me move back in with them for awhile. You might be sorry later on if you cut ties to them now. Running away can be excused later as just a youthful mistake.

Just a thought. I'm very glad to see you're in the home stretch, and Good Luck.

edit: Sorry for the ugly Americanism. Do you reach majority at 18 where you live?

The question you should be asking is "where am I going to go when I leave?" as until you have an answer to that, it is not good to try and just leave, unless of course your saftey is at risk by just being in the house. Feel free to pm me if you want help. For some of what I can offer you, I would actually ask my step mother, but can't do that till Saturday, as she is outa town. I am willing to do what I can to help, but I will need to know some details. If your saftey is at risk by being there, you need to leave before it gets worse, and go to someone you trust.

I hadn't thought of that... but upon reflection, that would probably be the case.



Actually, I've tried the whole running away bit, and it didn't work out so well (couldn't get important documents, didn't have anywhere to go, was to young to get a job, police were called, etc.).
As for ending up on the street, I do have places I can go this time around, but none of those situations would be significantly better than the one I'm in.



Actually I'm an American, too, so no harm done. And in Alabama, understood majority is 18, while legal majority is 19.

Unless you're in danger, the pursuit of legal action will be a bad idea because it raises the stakes to a level where it will be difficult to go back. In effect you would be burning your bridges or at least making them much more difficult to go back on. Is there a way to spend less time around your parents without moving out? Even a job at McDonalds will give you some money to save and give you a valid reason to get out of the house for a while each day. Don't let the situation compromise your graduation from high school. You'll have trouble getting a job anywhere without the HS diploma or its equivalent.

Generally, in order to become an emancipated minor, you must show a history of the following 3 things:
1.) You have the ability to financially support yourself.
2.) You are able to continue going to go school (where it is compulsory).
3.) You have a place to live.

Now note I highlighted "history". You need to be already doing this before you see the judge in most cases. The third one is sort of flexible as if you have enough money to find a place, you can simply be in the process of moving out by the time you see the judge.

The only unusual cases is if you have a trust fund in your name that you want access to before you are 18 (or whatever age it specifies). The judge might then require some proof that you are financially responsible, and perhaps even require you hold a job to prove it, even if the trust fund was enough to live on.

So basically, if you are not already living on your own, then you have no chance, and basically do not understand what it means to be emancipated. In fact, you may not have any idea how to live on your own when you turn 18.

You are better off calling social services for help.

My ex was emancipated at age 16. He had to go to court for it. He worked then and supported himself and lived on his own. He was living in Reno or whatever when I was born or Lake Tahoe, I don't remember. He was 18 years older than me, 17 when I was born.

To the people who say stay if you're in danger: emotional danger is the worst kind of danger to be in.