16 Year Old wants to move out/emancipation in New York State

I’m 16 and I love with my aunt but I no longer wanna live here anymore if I leave would I have to come back

[ccsmod7]

Hello, thank you for reaching out to us. We are sorry to hear about your current situation and we will do everything we can to help. It is understandable that you are looking to live on your own and get away from a negative household. It is not fair to you that your dad is not supportive and gets mad at you for little things, you do not deserve to be treated like that.

Considering your options, it sounds like you have a safe place to go to with your best friend which is awesome. The only issue that may come up might be getting your dad to agree with letting you live with them. Although we are not legal experts here at NRS, if you did decide to run away we would like to provide the information that although running away is not a crime for you to commit, harboring a runaway could potentially get your friend their mom in trouble if your dad decides to press charges. Although this is not a for sure outcome we just want to make you aware of the possibility. It is so great that you have a job, a license and a car, it sounds like you are pretty independent. We looked up some information regarding the state of New York’s stance on emancipation and discovered that “In the state of New York, emancipation is referred to as ‘the renunciation of parental rights to a child.’ Although New York does not have a formal statute for acquiring emancipation, the minor can acquire emancipation if they are legally married, is in the armed services, is able to establish an independent home, or if the parents have failed to fill their parental obligations.” So it seems you might be able to acquire emancipation since there is no set law on it in New York. If you are ever in need to make a plan, want more information, resources, support or guidance then please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-786-2929 we are confidential and available 24-7.

Again, we’re really glad that you reached out to us. It takes a lot to ask for help and you are trying to figure out your options which is really good to see. If you would like to talk further about your situation, please do not hesitate to call or chat with us. We’re here to listen, here to help.

I'm 16, almost 17. I live in New York with my dad, his girlfriend, and her son. i want to live anywhere but with them. There's constant arguing going on in the household and being there stresses me out more than anything else. On top of that my dad just isn't supportive at all and gets mad about small things making living with him miserable. I have job and my license, along with a car that's about to be put on the road. My best friends mom said i could stay with her instead of living at home. Is this still considered emancipation? And if so, can I do it?

[ccsmod7]

Hi there thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you are financially stable and wanting to move out a 16 without your parents concent. You seem very mature, and here at NRS we truly want to inform you and support you as best we can during this difficult time.

Generally speaking, you would be considered a runaway if you leave home before you turn 18 and your parents report you to local police. The legal way to become an adult before you are 18 is called emancipation. Emancipation is timely and costly court process where you try to prove to a judge you and financially self-sufficient, able to function on your own, and that it is your best interest to live on your own. Emancipation rules can depend on your state's laws and the first step is to reach out to your local courthouse to petition for emancipation.

Please do not hesitate to call or chat us if you have more questions or if you would like to talk through your situation. We are always here for you.

1-800-RUNAWAY; www.1800runaway.org

Best,

NRS

Hi I’m 16 and I wanna move in with my boyfriend who is 17, I have a monthly income of $810. He has an income of around 300 dollars a month. If we both become financially able to buy an apartment together, could I possibly leave home without consent of my current guardian? I live with my brother but I feel as tho I want to go out into the world and do things for myself.

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today.

Sounds like you are in a really unsafe situation at home with your mom being abusive and with her husband who raped your sister. You so deserve to live in an environment where you do not fear for your safety. You do have the right to report abuse that is going on in your house and what your mom's husband did to child protective services. To learn more about how CPS would respond to your situation, you might reach out to the expert child advocates at Child Help 1-800-422-4453.

It sounds like you are focused on going to your mom's sister's place. If you are hoping to go there legally, the easiest way is with your mom's permission. If you leave without permission, that is when you could be listed as a runaway by local police. You always want to plan around your safety, so if you are going a far distance having each detail figured out with how you will get there. You might make sure to bring enough food and water and money for your trip. You might also stay connected with your aunt each step of the way so someone knows where you are at all times.

Seems like you are wanting to go over your plan with us. Please call or chat us if you would like to run through your plan or if you have any questions or concerns. We are here 24/7 for you.

Best,

NRS

I want to leave my mom who is mentally abusive,and married the same guy who raped my sister. I have arrangements with my mother' twin. She lives in Washington state. What should I know,before putting my plan to action

[ccsmod9]

It sounds like you are interested in emancipation. We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process. Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

I'm 16 about to be 17 in December and I'm a senior. Life wasn't working out with my dad or my "mom" so I ended living with my father's mother again in New York. So far we've had a lot of arguments and I just feel like it's not gonna work out by the middle of the school year. I spoke to my grandma and dad about me moving back to Ct or even doing half the year in New York and the rest in Ct. But we had this huge argument and now they just want to hold me down and not allow me to go anywhere. I've been wanted to get emancipated since I was 14 but I didn't do anything about it until now. By the way, none of my parents have legal custody of me. So what do I do, I want to get emancipated but how do I do that?

[ccsmod9]

Hi there,
Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on. It sounds like you’re quite overwhelmed by things at home right now and you mentioned being harmed. We’re sorry you’re going through this. You don't deserve to be hurt in any way. If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately. You may also be able to report any mistreatment to CPS. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should record all evidence you might have texts, videos, audio, etc. That proves your dad kicked you out then the police would help get you to a safe place
Often, having a safe space to share how you’re feeling may bring a variety of solutions previously not thought of. You are not alone in this. We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.
If you would like to talk more in detail please chat soon through our website www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button) if you are unable to call in. We unfortunately cannot give advice as we are non-directive. You know your situation best
We hope to hear from you soon.
Be safe,
NRS

Im turning 17 in december and I want to leave my father’s house and as a precaution so that he couldn’t have the cops force me back there. My father kicked me out last night because i was protecting my mom and he’s not letting me stay with friends. He told me to pack all my stuff and go and is now telling me if i don’t come home that he’s going to file me as a missing child. Now I’m trying to move in with my boyfriend but my dad doesn’t want me to be with him so now I want to just move in with my boyfriend and his mom. Only thing is my father has soul custody of me. My father constantly talks down to me and calls me a whore and i don’t like it and it just makes me want to leave, i can’t stand it anymore.

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like your in a really difficult situation at home with your parents being put down so much. That must be really hard to deal with. Here at NRS, we truly want to be a support for you and inform you as best we can.

18 years old is generally the age that an individual may leave home without permission from their parent or legal guardian in New York. We are not legal experts here but we can speak in general terms. If you leave home without permission, your parents may file a runaway report with the police. What actions the police take once you are filed as a runaway can vary a lot from state to state and even city to city so we cannot predict exactly what would happen in your case. Generally speaking, if you encounter a police officer while reported as a runaway, you will likely be returned home. Another thing to consider is that while running away is not a crime, a legal adult who allows you to stay with them may be putting themselves at risk for being charged with harboring a runaway. One way to find out the laws in your area is to call your local police and ask what their policies are regarding runaway youth.

Having a space to vent and explore options may often bring out a solution previously not thought of. We are here as support to help you and your friend through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon. We can talk through your options with you and look for youth shelters near you if you need a safe place to go.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org.

We’re here to listen and to help and hope you or your friend can reach out soon.

Take care,

NRS

Hi, I just turned 16 and my conditions at home aren't really the best, I have so much anger lodged in me because of everything my parents put me through. They are extremely controlling and they constantly put me down and make me feel worthless and its gotten to the point where i am unable to do anything, they are always accusing me of doing something I never did, and i just feel so unhappy at home that i see no choice but to leave, and i still want to be able to live in the city i live in because i have friends whose mothers are willing to hold me in and take care of me for the time being, but I don't want to be filed as a runaway report since i live in new york and im technically still considered a minor under the law. What do i do?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for contacting us, it takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your story. It sounds like there is a lot of tension between you and your mother and grandfather, it must be really hard to have to live in environments where you don't feel comfortable. From what you've described it seems like there may be a current CPS case open and the court system may be involved. We aren't legal experts here at NRS, and it could be beneficial to work with a legal aid agency (they offer free or low-cost services) as well as the caseworker assigned to your case. They might be able to help you through this process. If you'd like, you can find local legal aid groups here: https://www.lawhelp.org/find-help/

If you’d like to go over what’s going on in depth, or if you’d like to explore other options that you may have available to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also chat us by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support you in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what's been going on with your friend. We aren’t legal experts here at NRS, but generally speaking, if your friend does opt to leave home her parents can file a runaway report, which is essentially a missing person report. Running away is a status offense; this means that it isn’t illegal, but it’s something you can’t do while still a minor. If a runaway report is filed and she is located by the authorities, she will most likely be returned to her parents.

It may be a good idea for your friend to contact us directly to go into further depth about the situation and to explore other options available to her. We can be reached by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or via chat by clicking on the “CHAT” button on top of our homepage. We’re open 24/7 and here to listen and support in any way we can.

Stay safe,
NRS