Child Emancipation in the State of Massachusetts

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Massachusetts

Throughout my life I have dealt with the mental, emotional, and physical abuse involving my mother. Despite his past mistakes, my mother didn't let me have contact with my father until the age of 14. My father is in jail now for not paying child support and he was extremely rude and hurtful towards me before he went to jail. I am now 16 years of age living in the state of Massachusetts and I am enrolled in individual therapy and family therapy. I attend high school and plan to go to college after my senior year; my grades are exceptional with A's and B's but sometimes the stress of family life gets in the way of my education. I find it hard for me to explain my mother's actions so I'm going to try my best:

A few months ago she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but she has had this disorder (without diagnosis) for several years. Her boyfriend and I believe she has some sort of personality disorder as well. I believe she is a pathological liar, an alcoholic, along with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from her childhood. I believe she most likely has several other mental issues as well, and basically I would call her literally crazy with tendencies of a psychopath. We have nonstop been fighting for several years, she used to get physical with me but she hasn't for a couple of years. She is taking medication now and has been for a few months but I haven't noticed a change within her. The mental and emotional stress she has been putting on my life is overbearing. She has caused me to be depressed with extensive anxiety. It's gotten to the point where I have been looking into emancipation or even partial emancipation because I believe our relationship would be healthier with some space. I've been telling her for a week now I'm looking into emancipation and she laughs about it because she doesn't realize I'm completely serious about this. Not only does she treat me badly, she treats everyone else in my household badly. My therapist told me she supports me if I attempt to file for emancipation.

I'm getting my drivers license within the next few weeks along with a car. I currently work and I'm trying to save up as much money as possible. My close friend and I are both in rough family situations and would like to get an apartment together because we believe it would benefit us best. I am going to try to get in contact with a lawyer for a consultation. I believe I am mature and responsible enough to live independently. Any insight on emancipation in Massachusetts would be helpful, along with information about the process, the likelihood of it happening with my current situation, etc. I'm extremely serious about this and would appreciate any help, thank you.

Emancipation is not about getting of the house; it's a means for a minor to sigh rental agreements, get the power in their name etc.

You're unable to show the court a history of supporting yourself and that's generally a requirement (not a request - a requirement).

You're no where close to being emancipated. Being a teenager is tough. It's emotionally overbearing for everyone, parents included. You don't have a job, you aren't self supporting, a court is not going to allow you to move in with a friend, you are not anywhere near qualified to armchair diagnose anyone, especially considering the fact that you don't even have a high school diploma.

Take your meds, stay in counseling and apply to college far away

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/childre...s/emancipation

I'm serious about getting power in my name. I haven't lived with my mother my whole life; there have been various custody battles until I chose to live with her at the age of 13. There is documentation for her being an unfit mother considering the amount of times she has been to court to try and get custody of me. The only reason she has custody now is because I chose to try it out with her and it was the worst mistake I've made.

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If I had a high school diploma I wouldn't need to be emancipated, I would be 18 and be able to make my own decisions. Above in what I wrote I stated that yes I do have a job and I am working so I'm not just thinking of some quick plan in my head. She has various mental problems, I would know I live with her. I'm not stupid I've been researching this and my possible options. It's not as easy as you think, it's gotten to the point where I'm being serious about this. Teenagers get emancipated because they're not 18 and they can't make their own decisions. I'm almost 17 years old entering my senior year so I would obviously have to finish high school, that's what teenagers do when they become emancipated, they finish school. Thanks for your honesty though

Most teenagers don't get emancipated at all. It is rare indeed that a court will emancipate a teenager. If a parent is proven unfit, the very large majority of the time a court will simply place you with another relative, or in a group home, or in foster care.

Did you look at the link I provided, which is directly on point to the likelihood of ANY teen being emancipated in Massachusetts?

You didn't read that link, did you?

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I'm serious about getting power in my name.

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You and every other teenager that stomps in here and demands that we tell them "Yes, you can get emancipated!" So?

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Quoting Dogmatique

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You didn't read that link, did you?

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Of course not. Because it says NO, and she doesn't want to hear that.

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Quoting madisondavide

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I'm serious about getting power in my name. I haven't lived with my mother my whole life; there have been various custody battles until I chose to live with her at the age of 13. There is documentation for her being an unfit mother considering the amount of times she has been to court to try and get custody of me. The only reason she has custody now is because I chose to try it out with her and it was the worst mistake I've made.

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If I had a high school diploma I wouldn't need to be emancipated, I would be 18 and be able to make my own decisions. Above in what I wrote I stated that yes I do have a job and I am working so I'm not just thinking of some quick plan in my head. She has various mental problems, I would know I live with her. I'm not stupid I've been researching this and my possible options. It's not as easy as you think, it's gotten to the point where I'm being serious about this. Teenagers get emancipated because they're not 18 and they can't make their own decisions. I'm almost 17 years old entering my senior year so I would obviously have to finish high school, that's what teenagers do when they become emancipated, they finish school. Thanks for your honesty though

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You're right. I know nothing about being a teenager, especially given I was one once, I've raised one right into adulthood and have one teenager coming up shortly. You are right in one thing... having teenagers isn't as easy as YOU think. Y'all will make someone want to write a congressperson and see if you can get one free kill.

I never said you do not know anything about being a teenager. You don't have to be rude about it I just needed some polite insight. Clearly you're not getting my point so I think you should stop replying because what you're saying is coming off a bit harsh and and insensitive. I'm not being selfish and thinking of only my feelings, I'm thinking of my mother's feelings as well; you're not in my position so you shouldn't be so quick to judge me.