A few legal/financial questions.

[elise_k]

Hi, I'm a 17-year-old from Alabama and, well, I'm thinking about leaving my parents' house. I wouldn't call their behavior abuse, but it certainly isn't love. I don't feel welcome in my own home and I feel smothered, like I have no control over any part of my life. I've felt ready to live independently for a few years, and that feeling only gets stronger as the years go by. A friend of mine has offered to let me stay with her and her (wonderful) family, so I do have a safe place to go. I plan on staying in school and going to college, and I'm about to start applying for a summer job. My life feels like an utter mess right now, but I really think that if I were allowed to take the reigns, I would have everything under control.

But the more I think about leaving, the more I wonder whether or not it would be practical. My car is under my mother's name, so she wouldn't allow me to take it (and she's taken my keys again anyway), and she probably wouldn't let me keep my cell service (although, I do have a backup plan for that one). But I'm really worried about insurance and medical expenses and prescriptions and obtaining all of my legal papers - birth certificate, passport, etc. Would she still have to pay for my dentist, orthodontist, optometrist, and doctor's appointments? I'm getting a minor surgery done in 2 years. Would she have to pay for that? What about driver's insurance? I'm not too worried about college expenses - I can save money, get scholarships... I'm planning on attending a good but relatively inexpensive university, so worst case scenario, I can apply for small loans and be able to pay them off sooner than most.

I'm trying to rationalize staying, but I've gone as far as practicing packing my bags to leave. I'm miserable here, and it feels like there's no escape because of my age. I can't even be emancipated yet.

I'm sorry this is so long. I just have a lot to sort through. Thanks in advance for your help.

[ccsmod10]

re: A few legal/financial questions

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to us during this difficult time. It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into leaving. It’s good to be practical and realistic about big decisions such as leaving home. It sounds like you are concerned about finances and paying for healthcare related expenses. You also mentioned being concerned about obtaining your legal paperwork. Many places will require you to have some form of legal ID to enroll in schools or go to youth shelters.

We are glad to hear that you have a safe place to go. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and feel wanted. Have you tried talking to your parents about how you have been feeling? You mentioned feeling like your life is a mess right now, if you wanted to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY and talk we would be more than happy to help you identify what options you have available.

It sounds like you are a very careful planner and want to make sure you are able to take care of yourself and be independent. Here at the National Runaway Safeline we don’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. We can however help you explore options, and offer any resources that may be of use to you. We would encourage you to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY at any time! We are confidential, anonymous and toll free. We can also be reached by live chat at www.1800runaway.org from 4:30pm-11:30pm Central Standard Time. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck!

-NRS