Getting away from my house at sixteen

[tiggagurl07]

i'm 16 in Houston, Tx. and i basically take care of myself. Anything from my deodorant to my clothes i buy myself. my mom just doesn't like me. she treats me unfairly compared to my other siblings. i'm not allowed to leave the house at all unless it's for school or work. i can't go to church or anywhere with my friends. she's basically taken my life away and i havent done anything bad. she talks to me badly and has called me out of my name. She's choked me and punched me before but she doesn't do it on a daily basis. my sister said that she would let me move in with her in her apartment and we would split the bills but my mom wont let me go even though she doesn't like me. She's told me several times that she can't stand me and on one occassion she told me that she thought i was evil. we just do not get a long at all and i don't wanna be miserable for two more years. how do i get out w/o having to get her permission to leave?

[tiggagurl07]

thanks,...but i also want to know if you think i would have a good chance of being emancipated? i'm scared to do anything if i might not have a good chance.

[aaron]

You can petition for emancipation if you meet the statutory requirements:

Sec. 31.001. REQUIREMENTS. (a) A minor may petition to have the disabilities of minority removed for limited or general purposes if the minor is:

(1) a resident of this state;

(2) 17 years of age, or at least 16 years of age and living separate and apart from the minor's parents, managing conservator, or guardian; and

(3) self-supporting and managing the minor's own financial affairs.

(b) A minor may file suit under this chapter in the minor's own name. The minor need not be represented by next friend.


Sec. 31.002. REQUISITES OF PETITION; VERIFICATION. (a) The petition for removal of disabilities of minority must state:

(1) the name, age, and place of residence of the petitioner;

(2) the name and place of residence of each living parent;

(3) the name and place of residence of the guardian of the person and the guardian of the estate, if any;

(4) the name and place of residence of the managing conservator, if any;

(5) the reasons why removal would be in the best interest of the minor; and

(6) the purposes for which removal is requested.

(b) A parent of the petitioner must verify the petition, except that if a managing conservator or guardian of the person has been appointed, the petition must be verified by that person. If the person who is to verify the petition is unavailable or that person's whereabouts are unknown, the guardian ad litem shall verify the petition.


Sec. 31.003. VENUE. The petitioner shall file the petition in the county in which the petitioner resides.


Sec. 31.004. GUARDIAN AD LITEM. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of the petitioner at the hearing.


Sec. 31.005. ORDER. The court by order, or the Texas Supreme Court by rule or order, may remove the disabilities of minority of a minor, including any restriction imposed by Chapter 32, if the court or the Texas Supreme Court finds the removal to be in the best interest of the petitioner. The order or rule must state the limited or general purposes for which disabilities are removed.


Sec. 31.006. EFFECT OF GENERAL REMOVAL. Except for specific constitutional and statutory age requirements, a minor whose disabilities are removed for general purposes has the capacity of an adult, including the capacity to contract. Except as provided by federal law, all educational rights accorded to the parent of a student, including the right to make education decisions under Section 151.003(a)(10), transfer to the minor whose disabilities are removed for general purposes.


Sec. 31.007. REGISTRATION OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE OR NATION. (a) A nonresident minor who has had the disabilities of minority removed in the state of the minor's residence may file a certified copy of the order removing disabilities in the deed records of any county in this state.

(b) When a certified copy of the order of a court of another state or nation is filed, the minor has the capacity of an adult, except as provided by Section 31.006 and by the terms of the order.

Your odds of success depend upon whether you meet the statutory criteria for emancipation.