Options For Washington State Emancipation
As I've done quite a bit of reading online about emancipation laws myself, I'm not so much wanting them to be repeated or explained, but I would very much like some opinions on my current situation. They would be very helpful and very much appreciated by anyone who has had experience with emancipation, is an expert on the laws of emancipation here in Washington state, or even from a parent or anyone else who has a thought to share.
I am a 16 year old female living in Washington state. I currently live with both of my parents, as I have always. I have had problems with depression, seemingly, because of my home situation, since about the age of 10. This went unnoticed until last June, when my parents noticed scars on my wrists. After some yelling, in an obviously worrying and uncomfortable situation for my parents, I was brought to Children's Hospital in Seattle, WA. I stayed in their inpatient psychiatric unit for just over 2 weeks before being released...
I mention this, because it seems to me that being "mentally unstable," for any reason, could quite possibly be grounds for being denied emancipation.
Yet, going to Children's really seems to have helped me, and my life has taken quite a turn in the last six months. I've become much closer with my friends, now realizing it is much easier to have people to confide in often, I saved up money and bought a car (though by borrowing some money from my parents, which I paid them back), me and a friend started a house-cleaning business, which hasn't been making us rich, but it's something that we have kept at, and I have just recently started online-education. The online high school is something I have been excelling at, and I now have time to get a full-time job.
Which means, no, I don't have a full-time job at the moment. So, if I go through with trying to be emancipated, it will be a few (or more) months away. It would be after I can find a full-time job, or two part-time jobs, save up a bit of money, and make sure that what I'm earning is enough to cover necessities.
And finally, the reason that I'm even considering being emancipated, is because home-life hasn't improved in the last 6 months, even as everything else has. Me and my mother have never gotten along well, so our days are often spent bothering each other, and even getting into verbal fights (no name-calling, just arguing over things.) But more importantly, me and my father have not gotten along at all over the past year or two. I realize these are small reasons to want to take on the responsibility of becoming emancipated, but I can't mentally stand living here. My father is an alcoholic, and I fear I'll have a breakdown each night I see him drinking, because drinking means yelling. I am quite strong in most parts of life; rude comments don't get to me, I get along quite nicely with most people, and I have always been a hard worker at everything I do. But I can't handle coming home and being yelled at. Especially when a drunk is yelling at me for no reason other than to let some anger out.
I realize that being emancipated would not be a small step. It would be something I would have to work very hard to do. But, as I said before, I would not move on to trying to become emancipated before getting a good job and making sure I would be able to make it on my own. What I would like to know is if anyone thinks I would at all have a case to be emancipated. Assuming I have a job and proof that I will be able to make it financially, that is. The reason I ask is because I wonder if me wanting emancipation because of problems with my parents would just be dismissed as "being a teen." Obviously, teenagers are normally not the most mature people. But, I don't claim my parents are horrible people, or that they're secretly planning to make my life hell, just that this situation isn't working for me.
I apologize for the long post, but thank you to anyone who has made it this far, and any comments at all would be greatly appreciated, whether to give emancipation advice or to say I'm just a silly teenager who needs to get over it.
Re: Opinions on Washington State Emancipation
Having a full-time job and supporting yourself 100% is what emancipation is.
Re: Opinions on Washington State Emancipation
Under Washington's emancipation laws, anybody aged 16 or older can petition for emancipation.
Quote:
Quoting RCW 13.64.020 - Petition for emancipation - Filing fees.
(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.