Can You Get Emancipated if Your Parents Won't Let You Go to College

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Texas

I am 17 years old living in Texas. I am going to graduate high school June 2017 but, I will still be 17 years old. Because of this, my mom wants me to stay home and not go to college. I had a job working as a waitress at a local restaurant, until my mom called them and said I could no longer work there. she cancelled any memberships I had for gyms and anything else she could get her hands on She cancelled my credit card and took my money that was in there, and took my income tax money as well. She called the college I have been accepted to, telling them that she doesn't want me going there. She has taken my phone and other electronics away from me. I have spoken to the local police and they said that at the age of 17 and graduated from highschool, it is legal for me to move out. If I got emancipated, I would get my old job back to be able to support myself, I have living arrangements lined up to stay with a friend who would be able to transport me to and from school and work. I would be continuing to go to high school. Are these reasons legit enough for me to get emancipated? Or, should I wait until I graduate to move out and get emancipated so then I can sign myself for loans and leases for an apartment for college?

Just out of curiosity, When do you turn 18?

You speak as if it's only a question of when you will be emancipated. No, my child, it's not when - it's IF.

There is NO reason that is good enough unless you meet every single one of the requirements first. Unless you can prove to the satisfaction of the judge that you can pay, all on your own, without any help, every single penny of what it takes to support you, you won't even get a chance to state your reasons.

A judge is NOT going to emancipate you so that you can go to college a few months earlier. Once you're 18, you can go wherever you want.

Oh, and it's less that it's legal for you to move out at 17 (it isn't) as that in your state, the police are unlikely to force you to go home. But the same law that makes them reluctant to return home a recalcitrant 17 year old, also means they won't take any action if Mom and Dad come get you and drag you back.

Also, you'll require your parents cooperation for the FAFSA until you're 25. What this means is that, unless your parents are willing to provide you with the pertinent info that you require to complete this document for financial aid you'll continue to be out of luck. Cooperation may get you a lot further than antagonizing.

January 2018

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Quoting cbg

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You speak as if it's only a question of when you will be emancipated. No, my child, it's not when - it's IF.

There is NO reason that is good enough unless you meet every single one of the requirements first. Unless you can prove to the satisfaction of the judge that you can pay, all on your own, without any help, every single penny of what it takes to support you, you won't even get a chance to state your reasons.

A judge is NOT going to emancipate you so that you can go to college a few months earlier. Once you're 18, you can go wherever you want.

Oh, and it's less that it's legal for you to move out at 17 (it isn't) as that in your state, the police are unlikely to force you to go home. But the same law that makes them reluctant to return home a recalcitrant 17 year old, also means they won't take any action if Mom and Dad come get you and drag you back.

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Its not me wanting to go to college early, I want to go after I graduate. I do not want to wait another year to go when i can go now, studies show that people who wait a year to go to college end up not going, most of the time. Anyways, my mom stealing my money is not a good enough reason? Her not wanting me to go college is not good enough? I want to become emancipated so I can take out loans for college. Whats so wrong about that?

Except in very limited cases, there is no "my money" when you are a minor.

And no Texas isn't going to emancipate you just because you want to go to college and your parents won't let you.

There is nothing wrong with what you want, and I understand being ambitious, but the likelihood of you getting it are slim to none. For all the reasons stated above by CBG. The court doesn't care what your reasons are unless you are already completely supporting yourself. This means living, on your own, without assistance. Paying for all your food, clothing, utilities, health insurance, cellphone, transportation etc.

But there is something else to consider. Your parents information is going to be needed in order to get student loans anyways, so becoming emancipated isn't going to change that. Also, you are responsible for whether or not you go to college once you turn 18 whether you have had to take a year off or not. Statistics are just that, statistics. There is no law saying that if you take a year off you can never go to college. And realistically, by the time this would even get to court anyways, Fall semester would have already started. Also, if you are 18 in January, you may be able to start spring semester or at the very latest summer semester, and not be an entire year behind.

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I want to become emancipated so I can take out loans for college. Whats so wrong about that?

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Even if you were emancipated, and you won't be, your ability to get financial aid for college is tied to the FAFSA. In order to complete the FAFSA you will require tax info and other financial information from your parents as it will be tied directly to the amount of financial aid you are eligible for. This will be the case until you are 25. Emancipation doesn't relieve you of this requirement. No, this isn't fair, but it is the reality.

As to the second sentence; nothing is wrong with it, it's just not how the world works.

studies show that people who wait a year to go to college end up not going, most of the time.

Balderdash. People take gap years all the time. If you don't go to college after a year wait, that's on no one but you yourself.

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Quoting Albertina Paz

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January 2018



Its not me wanting to go to college early, I want to go after I graduate. I do not want to wait another year to go when i can go now, studies show that people who wait a year to go to college end up not going, most of the time. Anyways, my mom stealing my money is not a good enough reason? Her not wanting me to go college is not good enough? I want to become emancipated so I can take out loans for college. Whats so wrong about that?

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Which studies?

I know a lot of kids who've taken gap years. Every one has ended up going to college as a somewhat more mature person with a better idea of what they want to do with their life. This is a bad thing..... how?

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Quoting jumanji

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I know a lot of kids who've taken gap years. Every one has ended up going to college as a somewhat more mature person with a better idea of what they want to do with their life. This is a bad thing..... how?

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Gap years are sometimes the difference between burning out and having a successful college experience. I'm not saying they're essential to every student, but many benefit YUGELY from taking a gap year. For the better of everyone involved.

Alas, that doesn't seem to fit in today's "microwave mentality".

Hell, I took gap years a few times to be a climbing bum and to travel to Antarctica for 18 months...among other things.

What did you do to change your mothers mind about all of these things ? She would not have suddenly changed her mind for no reason.

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Quoting Dogmatique

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Gap years are sometimes the difference between burning out and having a successful college experience. I'm not saying they're essential to every student, but many benefit YUGELY from taking a gap year. For the better of everyone involved.

Alas, that doesn't seem to fit in today's "microwave mentality".

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Gap years seem to be more used across the pond than here. I do think it seems to be beneficial to a lot of people.

I am seeing a huge gap in the information we are getting. Okay, your mother does not want you to go to college. She doesn't want you working. She has taken away your phone privileges and your memberships to other activities. What does she want you to do instead? What has precipitated this? There's more to this than we are hearing here. What does she want you to do until you become 18, sit around the house and read? Clean, cook and help take care of your ten younger siblings? It makes no sense that a parent suddenly decides they want their 17 year old right at home, not working, not in school, looking at them till they are 18 and they lose control. What have you been doing that has so motivated your parents?

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Quoting Albertina Paz

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January 2018



Its not me wanting to go to college early, I want to go after I graduate. I do not want to wait another year to go when i can go now, studies show that people who wait a year to go to college end up not going, most of the time. Anyways, my mom stealing my money is not a good enough reason? Her not wanting me to go college is not good enough? I want to become emancipated so I can take out loans for college. Whats so wrong about that?

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What studies? Because there are a lot of kids (including former Pres Obama's daughter) who are taking a year off after graduation and then going to college. His oldest just did this. It's called a "gap year." Lots of teens are doing it. It's actually shown to be beneficial.

You are NOT going to get emancipated based on the things you mentioned so suck it up. There's nothing wrong with wanting to go to college you just legally can't do what you want until you reach the age of majority in your state.

When you're 18 you can do what you want. Until then you stay with your parents.