Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
So, I live in California. I just moved here from Washington because my mom didn't want me living in her house anymore. I'm now living with my sister. I work two jobs and go to an alternative school from 8-12 5 days a week during the school year. I make about 1500 a month, not including tips.(I make approximately $650 a month in tips, but that's all depending obviously.) I have requested more hours and one of my jobs and I have been put up for a raise from minimum wage to $9 an hour. If I got the extra hours, I would get about $200 more in tips a month and about $350 a month more. If I got the raise it would be even more.
Currently, my mom is still paying my 400 dollar a month health insurance. The state gives her $600 a month to help pay for my expenses since my father is retired. The other $200 a month is sent to my sister. I also pay my sister rent, I pay for my own phone, I pay for my share of all the bills (cable, gas, eletric, water, etc.), I buy my own food, my own clothes, and my own meds (that which the insurance doesn't cover).
I would ask my sister to move into a bigger place but I dont' want to live with her forever and she's trying to get pregnant. I dont' want to end up with her having a baby and a huge house payment that she can't make after I leave.
I would like to get emancipated for three reasons.
1. I want to be able to sign for my own medical stuff, and school stuff. I don't want to be as reliant on my sister to sign things for me.
2. My sister is emotionally and verbally abusive but she's also a liar so that won't hold up in court.
3. I'm living on my own anyways and I really want a place to call my own instead of sleeping on a cot in the middle of my sisters living room.
I've calculated approximately how much money I have and I believe that I would be able to get my own place here and be able to take care of myself. I know that it would be really difficult but I feel that I'm ready.
Another question is about the $600 a month that my mom gets. I know that her insurance says that if i'm still going to school, she can keep me on it even after I turn 18 so would it be the same if I got emancipated since i'm still in high school? And would she legally be required to send the extra $200 to me. Or would she even be getting that money if I were to get emancipated?
Someone please tell me what you think.
Sincerely,
Tally
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
First how old are you?
Second when will you turn 18?
Third are you a legal resident of CA?
Fourth who has legal custody of you?
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
Information on California Emancipation laws can be found here
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
I'm 16.
I turn 18 in a year and a half.
Yes, I believe I am a legal resident. As far as I know, I am.
My mom still has legal custody of me but my sister has a release to sign for my medical bills.
I've talked to my mom about getting emancipated and she says she thinks it's a good idea but I don't know if she's just saying that so I won't bring it up or if she really thinks that.
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
Then read the information on the link I provided. make sure your "legal" residence is CA.
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
How do I figure out if I am a legal resident of California?
If I'm not, how do I become one?
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
Another thing is that my mom, who has custody of me, lives in Washington.
Will that effect what state my emancipation would be placed in?
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
It may. If you are considered to be legally domiciled in Washington, you would have to file in that state.
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
I got am enrolled in school here, i have two jobs here, i live here. But I don't know if that makes me legally domiciled here.
Another thing is that I'm actually SCARED to tell my sister. I have a feeling when i tell her that she's going to freak out. I mean, i know it's not her decision or anything but I do live in her house. So should I just serve my mom the papers and let my sister find out that way? Or should I tell my sister to her face?
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
We cannot advise you on that matter. Who has legal custody of you? That may weigh into where your "legal" residence is although going to school pretty much says that as well. You do realize very few emancipations are granted of the thousands petitions filed. Example in 2005 GA had over 10,000 petitions for emancipation and only around a dozen were granted.
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
I am aware that not many emancipations are granted. That's why I came here to ask for advice before I even attempted to apply for one. I know that if I did and I didn't get it, life at home would not be pleasant. Also, I talked to an attourney today. She said that if I don't have money to get my own insurance, then the emancipation most likely wont be granted. So I'm going to look at getting insurance and how much money that would be.
Another option that I've started looking at is renting a room from an elderly couple or woman. I think that might be okay in my mom's and dad's and sister's eyes.
Re: Living With My Sister, And Want To Be Emancipated
Quote:
Quoting
CheshireTally
Another option that I've started looking at is renting a room from an elderly couple or woman. I think that might be okay in my mom's and dad's and sister's eyes.
If the persons with legal authority over you are ok with this emancipation is not required