Emancipation for a Gay Teen

Ok here is the situation:
I am friends with this guy "ADAM" that is 17 lives in Indiana and wants out of his parents house. They are extremely controlling. Several weeks ago his older brother "outed" him to his parents. He is Gay. His parents are super religious and will not hear of it. They are verbally abusive. His Dad is very agressive...having gone as far as punch the older brother in the face giving him a black eye. Nothing was done when this happened because the older brother is 19. His parents have gone as far as calling the cops and make false accusations against his boyfriend and I saying that we keyed their cars. They have called and threatend his boyfriend called both of them faggots, his mother approached his boyfriend and called him that to his face. His mother constantly tells him that he is going to hell. "Adam" wants to get emancipated. He loves his parents but can not take the verbal abuse anymore. He is getting depressed and I am worried about him. He has a place to live...and a job, but after reading some of the other posts I am not sure he would be able to get out.

Please respond if you have any advice.

None of what you posted is an emancipation issue its CPS issues tell your friend to contact CPS or talk with a mandated reporter (Teacher, Doctor etc) so they can file abuse report. Emancipation is not a ticket to get out of controlling parents (which is not illegal) care. If there is abuse then CPS needs to be called.

He does not want to get CPS involved. His parents are not bad people they are just not OK with him being Gay, and are being verbally abusive because of it.

Then he needs to deal with it until 18!

Indiana has an emancipation statute for a "child in need of services", see Indiana Code § 31-34-20 et seq. An action to have a minor determined to be a "child in need of services" is brought by protective services or a prosecutor, and can result in the minor becoming a ward of the state.

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.

He is calling CPS. Things got worse over the weekend.


Thanks. If anyone has more advice let me know.

The situation has been reported to a school counselor and CPS. So far nothing has happened. He is emotionally unstable. Does anyone have any other advice?

CPS takes it time often time to begin an investiagtion or is working unseen. Continue to document and report any further abuse

He talked to someone at school and she told him to make sure to let her know if anything happens. New things have continued to happen yet he can not get his counselor to call him down to talk even though he has put in multiple requests. She told him she would stay on top of it and he really is feeling alone. There is nothing I can do because I know his crazy parents would make up some lie to try and get me arrested. I am afraid he is going to hurt himself to get out of the house. His parents are letting him have no contact with anyone outside of his house other than school and work because they found out he was trying to get emancipated. I am just worried his is going to hurt himself to get out of the situation. Anyone have any suggestions on speeding this up?

The process is what it is an investigation has begun. If the victim feels things are worse or he is in danger contact the CPS worker. If threats or violence occurs contact Police

Your friend realizes that if his parents don't want him to see his boyfriend - that is their right as parents. Just the same way it would be their right if he had a girlfriend that they didn't want him to see.

Him not being able to see his boyfriend is not even the issue. His parents are being very verbally abusive and He is at a point that I am not sure he can take must more. That is all that I am saying. I just need suggestions for helping him out.

Okay so I have another question reguarding the same situtation. "Adam" is thinking that the best situation may just be to wait until he is 18, because he knows that it is going to be so hard to get out. The question that I have is...Once he turns 18 can he just move out or will he need to get emancipated since he will still be in high school. And he is also afraid that his parents will not be responsible for helping him with college any longer if he moves out. So in this reguard would it be better for him try and get emancipated before he is 18?


Thanks

Indiana's age of majority is 18.

Do his parents have eny legal obligations to his college expenses if he moves out at 18?

No they do not. However they never had a legal obligation to pay for his College to begin with

Once he moves out they have no legal obligation to pay for anything. It's a bit much for him to expect that he should be able to move out and live the way he wants to but still have them support him or pay for his schooling. He can't have it both ways.

He just is wondering if it would be better financial aid wise for him to go ahead and get emancipated, otherwise I believe he has to claim his parents income when applying for financial aid.

He can check with the financial aid office of the school he plans to attend. It may not make any difference.