How Do I Go About Legally Emancipating Myself

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Indiana

I am seventeen years old, I have a job, I have a car I bought with my own money, I have a place that I could stay. I've done math, gone over several options, I have a back up plan if my living arrangements fall through. I have good reasons for wanting to leave home. I currently live with my father and stepmother. My dad has four children of his own, with one more on the way, plus my stepmothers two children from previous relationships. That's a total of 9 people, but only 8 are living there now. My 18 year old sister moved out recently, and is living with our biological mother. Our house is crowded, loud, and stressful, but my father won't let me move in with my mother until I turn 18. The stress of living there is effecting my grades in a negative way, I work and attend school in the town my mother lives in, and they often forget to pick me up afterward, causing me to either have to find a ride or walk to my mothers. I recently got offered an opportunity to rent an apartment with my sister, who'd like to rent an apartment, which would be easier with someone to split the rent with. I want to support myself, not because they won't let me do what I want, I rarely get into trouble at home or school, but I don't like being dependent on them. I would like to know how I could file for emancipation, or an alternative way to leave my dads house. My mother would file a petition for my custody, but she's having financial troubles.

Read this.

Thank you for that, but what I need to know is how to file for emancipation. Who I need to talk to, what papers I need, how much a lawyer might cost or if I'll even need one, etc.

You think you're old enough and mature enough to be considered a legal adult, but you need someone to hold your hand and look up the process for you?

You don't know how to use Google?

What do you think that says?

Asked for help, not rude cynicism. I did google it, how do you think I got here? But you didn't make that connection, I wonder what that says. I was asking for someone who'd done it or someone who at least had knowledge of the process to respond, obviously you do not fit into either of those categories. Have a nice day.

I say again, if you're old enough and mature enough to be considered a legal adult, you're old enough and mature enough to find the process for yourself without someone guiding you through the process. It never fails to astound me, how many teenagers think they're capable of living on their own and supporting themselves, but are either unable or unwilling to take the time and effort to locate the process and either need or want someone else to do it for them.

If you can't even take the first step by yourself, I have serious doubts about your ability to succeed.

You clearly didn't read it.

Quote:

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Otherwise Indiana has no emancipation statute, but it may nonetheless be possible to convince a juvenile court to grant emancipation where the court finds:
1. The petitioning minor wishes to be free from parental control and protection and no longer requires control and protection;

2. The petitioning minor understands the consequences of being free from parental control and protection

3. The petitioning minor has sufficient money for the child's own support; and

4. The petitioning minor has an acceptable plan for independent living.

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That means that there's no formal procedure to be emancipated in the state of Indiana.

If you are already living away from your parents, have been for at least a year, and have been paying 100% of your support - market rate rent and utilities, food, clothing, transportation, medical expenses - and you've been maintaining better than average grades in school, you can speak with a family law practitioner in your area to see if the court might hear a petition.

These can take up to a year to be heard, though, assuming you even meet these requirements, and by that time, you'll be of age anyway.

If your dad and mom will let you move in with your sister, then you can, you do not need emancipation.