Can I Get Emancipated?

Can I get emancipated? My mother was on drugs so i left her home and moved to Washington with my aunt and uncle. I have lived here since November of 2006. Neither my father nor my mother have tried to get me back. My father has several fines and isn't exactly a courts favorite person. Now they are trying to make me leave just because they don't want to pay child support. It is causing a lot of emotional stress and it is affecting my school grades. Before I moved here I was heavily drinking and doing drugs. I was also getting horrible grades. Since I have been here I have maintained over a 3.0 grade point average and I have been off all drugs and alcohol. How could I get it to where my parents can't make me leave???

Start by reading this.

Under Washington's emancipation laws, anybody aged 16 or older can petition for emancipation.

Quote:

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Quoting RCW 13.64.020 - Petition for emancipation - Filing fees.

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(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.

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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.

But my question is... if i'm living with this family, and they don't want me to work because i graduate next year and they want me to focus on school, then can i be emancipated still without having a job???

Short answer - no. Not unless you are independently wealthy.

A key element of emancipation is being able to support yourself. If someone else is supporting you, then you cannot be emancipated.

So then what should we do? How should we go about getting me with this family? Am I legally old enough to choose where I live? Especially with my history and my parents history... this is where I have done the best. How do I make sure I can stay here??

You can get your mother's permission to stay there.

She gave it once.. I've been living here for 1 yr and 3 months and now she is suddenly trying to make me leave. We have it in writing with her signature that she had given her consent for me to stay. Can that help us in any way?

parents can change their mind.

Unless this was a legal guardianship transfer, you go where your mother tells you to go.