15 year old runaway seeking emancipation

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

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. Texas does have an emancipation statute and it states that any minor can petition the court to be emancipated at 16 years of age, but you do have to meet certain criteria.

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 (1-800-786-2929) or on live chat (1800runaway.org). We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

NRS

Hello I am 15 hoping to get emancipated in Texas I would love to get more information on how to become emancipated and the pros and cons of becoming emancipated.

[ccsmod4]

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time.

We would like to be of assistance to you and can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and share more about how we can help specifically, please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).
If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.


Take care,
NRS

I need help can you guys see who I am I just need someone to talk to please I don’t want anyone knowing I’m on here I want to keep it secret I am scared and I just want to talk I can’t have anyone know about this

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to NRS. We are not legal experts here at NRS, but we can share our knowledge of emancipation with you. If your state does have an emancipation statute, the process can be started by filing a petition with a court in the state where you lived with your parents/guardians. The judge will generally want to see that there is a reason why emancipation is the most beneficial option for you, that you are living separately from your parents/guardians, and that you are capable of financially supporting yourself. You would most likely have to file the petition with the local court where you previously lived with your parents, so this would mean returning to the city or county if you are not currently still living there. You would also have to appear in court for a hearing if the petition goes through to a judge. In some states, parents have to consent to the emancipation petition for the process to even be started, but at the very least your parents will be notified.

We are happy to connect you to legal aide resources that can better assist you with the emancipation process if you would like to know more or further pursue it. You can call us at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live chat services at www.1800ruanway.org 24/7 if you would like to be connected with resources or if you want to talk more about your situation and possible options. We are here as a support for you while you navigate this challenging situation, so do not hesitate to reach out.

Good luck,
NRS

is it possible to get emancipated as a runaway? Would I have to go home first? Also what do I need in regards of money- do I have to find a way to get a job?

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing a little bit about what’s been going on, we know that it takes a lot of courage. It must be really hard to live in a home with so much tension since your parents are always fighting. We’re not legal experts here at NRS, so we can’t give you any legal advice regarding emancipation. Emancipation is an option in the state of Montana but there are certain rules and qualifications about who can and cannot be emancipated. Any person 16 years of age or older may petition for limited emancipation. The petition must state, among other things, that (a) limited emancipation is in the minor’s best interests, (b) the minor is aware of the consequences of emancipation, (c) the minor has or will reasonably obtain money sufficient to pay for financial obligations, (d) and the minor wants to become emancipated. All persons named in the petition are given written notice at least 10 days prior to a hearing.
Emancipation can often be a lengthy and expensive process and it may be beneficial to speak with a legal aid group for assistance throughout the process.

It seems like your parents aren’t fully understanding you when you are trying to relay your thoughts and feelings about the constant fighting. It could be a good idea to work with a local family counselor or have a conversation mediated by a school counselor/social worker, trusted friend, or family member to help clear the air. If you'd like, you can also call us directly and we can conduct a conference call with your parents so you have a safe environment where you can express yourself.

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

[ccsmod10]

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 I do not want to live with my parents anymore. My parents are constantly fighting at each other or me. I know that my parents would never sign emancipation papers. I have also tried to get a job to show the court that I am able to live on my own but my parents will not let me get a job. I was wondering if I get Emancipated will I be able to live with another family without having to get a job right away? I am from montana

I am a 16 year old in state custody in Oregon. I have ran away three times. Being in the homes they have put me in puts a tremendous amount of stress on me and has given me depression. I am now pregnant doing all the prenatal things in contact with my casa had a few texts between my caseworker. This time I have been gone for a few months and my caseworker has only reached out three times and one of which were me initiating it. I am no longer enrolled in school. I feel it would be beneficial for me to get emancipated because I have been more successful on my own and I am ready for my permit, getting a job, have the money for my GED. I need to know the next steps to take towards getting emancipated. The state has me marked as a behavioral kid, but really I’m not I have lots of acquaintances who will speak on this. Not sure what to do next.

[ccsmod7]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out today. Sounds like you have been through so much for a long time with all these family placements and the mistreatment involved. It's understandable that you are wanting to live on your own since you are already independent.

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.

-NRS

Hello, I am 16 and I have been moved house to house these past few years. I lived with my father until the age of 14. Child protection services placed me with my mother. My mother’s boyfriend didn’t like me so he kicked me out. I moved in with my aunt. Child protection services also got involved with her and removed me and her three kids. We have court soon but I am not allowed to move back in with her under any circumstances. I am now with my grandmother and I have just about had it. I know I could do well on my own because I am very independent already. I am not sure what will be said in court and where I will go next. I wish to be emancipated and I want to know how I should go about this I have a job on the weekends and will get a job durning the week. What do you think?

[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.

Hi I’m a 15 year old run away an I have a kid on the way and my dad kicked me out an now I live with my girlfriends family but my dad still put me on the run away thing and I’ve been in and out of jail since I was 11 and I just want to make my self leagal but I still wanna live with my girlfriend so I can raise my child plz get back with me thank u.

[ccsmod11]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to National Runaway Safeline and sharing a little bit about what is going. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and especially in a time where you have a really tough and complex situation. It looks like you have reached out to us through another platform already.

Since you are a minor and your dad is still responsible for you, he is not allowed to kick you out and can be seen as a form of neglect to not provide housing for you. You do have the right to call the police to report. To find resources in your area for shelter you can call 211 from your phone, call into us for resources, or text 69866 (Safe and your location in the context) to get sent the nearest safe place. There website is nationalsafeplace.org.

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. Stay strong and you are not alone in this! Our hotline ( 1-800-RUNAWAY) and chat are open 24/7.

-NRS