Emancipation in Washington State

[costariquena]

So I'm 16 years old & my boyfriend is 17. We've been together for over a year now. My mom passed away when I was 8, and my dad recently passed away last year. I had been living in florida, but since my dad had left costudy to my aunt, I was forced to move up to washington, where I hate it! My boyfriend has stayed with me through all of this, and we are planning on being together forever. He just recently got enough money & such to move up here for me. He's very independant and can support himself very well. I'm hating the house-hold I'm living in right now because I am being made a slave of. They take advantage of my kindness and talk crap behind my back. I even have a feeling that they are taking away my social security money somehow. I want to move back to FL & be happy! My boyfriends grandma even said she would be happy to let us stay under her roof, and will make sure I finish out school. I feel as if his family is more a family to me, than my own. (Which is really sad). I've got almost $1000 saved up from working, and am a hardworker! I KNOW I could support myself.

My home life is so bad my boyfriend & I have even been thinking about making a baby together just so we can get married & I can be happy!!

Do you think this is a good reason to get emancipated?

[aaron]

Pregnancy won't result in emancipation. It may make it more difficult to emancipate, as having a child makes it less likely that you will be able to support yourself.

Under Washington's emancipation laws, anybody aged 16 or older can petition for emancipation.

(1) A petition for emancipation shall be signed and verified by the petitioner, and shall include the following information: (a) The full name of the petitioner, the petitioner's birthdate, and the state and county of birth; (b) a certified copy of the petitioner's birth certificate; (c) the name and last known address of the petitioner's parent or parents, guardian, or custodian; (d) the petitioner's present address, and length of residence at that address; (e) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs, including any supporting information; and (f) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs, including any supporting information.

(2) Fees for this section are set under RCW 36.18.014.

The petitioner must prove at a hearing by "clear and convincing evidence: (a) That the petitioner is sixteen years of age or older; (b) that the petitioner is a resident of the state; (c) that the petitioner has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs; and (d) that the petitioner has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs." RCW 13.64.050.

[lala]

can i still become emancipated if my aunt doest want to sign the emancipation papers??

[aaron]

If emancipation is approved, the Judge signs the order. As the statute permits the minor to bring the petition, while the aunt can oppose the petition, nothing in the statute suggests that she would have to sign it.