Emancipation

My question involves emancipation laws for the State of: Washington

I live with my mom and my moms boyfriend and my little brother. I hate it here and Ive been to a Psych ward a few times because Ive cut myself. I am constantly depressed and feel hopeless. I just want out of here before I end up doing something stupid. My mom has choked me before and left a bruise and I would not take her to CPS for it well because I love my mom. However over a year back my moms boyfriend kicked me with steel toed boots and then when I kicked him back he grabbed me by my throat and pinned me to the couch so that I could not breathe. I took him to CPS for it and they said that he passed a lie detector test saying that he did not do it but however seeing the way that he treated me in the CPS they said that they believed me but could not do anything about it because I did not have any marks. He mentally abuses me all the time by calling me a bitch and screaming at me. The very few times that my mom does stick up for me he threatens to leave my mom. I just cant take it here anymore and I want out. However I know that they would not let me move out. I'm 15 right now and wanted to get emancipated as soon as I can when I turn 16 but I'm scared that the judge would decide that I cant and that then when I got home that my life would be hell if I really tried to get emancipated and could not do it and had to return home. I feel like I'm in danger living here even though my parents will not physically hurt me anymore since I took my moms boyfriend to CPS one day I'm scared that they are going to hurt me again though. Please give me advice.

Oh and I couldnt go back and live with my dad because there was some records of sexual abuse by my step moms son I can not live there.

Someone give me some advice please.

Read this as you were promtped to before you posted

You are not a candidate for emancipation. There is no way on God's green earth that a judge is going to emancipate a teen with a history of cutting themselves. It is not worth going through the motions because I can tell you right now, your petition will be denied.

If you are being abused, you need to call CPS.

TITLE 13. JUVENILE COURTS AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS


CHAPTER 13.64. EMANCIPATION OF MINORS




§ 13.64.010. Declaration of emancipation.


Any minor who is sixteen years of age or older and who is a resident of this state may petition in the superior court for a declaration of emancipation.


§ 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.


§ 13.64.030. Service of petition -- Notice -- Date of hearing.


The petitioner shall serve a copy of the filed petition and notice of hearing on the petitioner's parent or parents, guardian, or custodian at least fifteen days before the emancipation hearing. No summons shall be required. Service shall be waived if proof is made to the court that the address of the parent or parents, guardian, or custodian is unavailable or unascertainable. The petitioner shall also serve notice of the hearing on the department if the petitioner is subject to dependency disposition order under RCW 13.34.130. The hearing shall be held no later than sixty days after the date on which the petition is filed.


§ 13.64.040. Hearing on petition.


(1) The hearing on the petition shall be before a judicial officer, sitting without a jury. Prior to the presentation of proof the judicial officer shall determine whether: (a) The petitioning minor understands the consequences of the petition regarding his or her legal rights and responsibilities; (b) a guardian ad litem should be appointed to investigate the allegations of the petition and file a report with the court.


(2) For the purposes of this section, the term "judicial officer" means: (a) A judge; (b) a superior court commissioner of a unified family court if the county operates a unified family court; or (c) any superior court commissioner if the county does not operate a unified family court. The term does not include a judge pro tempore.


§ 13.64.050. Emancipation decree -- Certified copy -- Notation of emancipated status.


(1) The court shall grant the petition for emancipation, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if the petitioner proves the following facts 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.


(2) A parent, guardian, custodian, or in the case of a dependent minor, the department, may oppose the petition for emancipation. The court shall deny the petition unless it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that denial of the grant of emancipation would be detrimental to the interests of the minor.


(3) Upon entry of a decree of emancipation by the court the petitioner shall be given a certified copy of the decree. The decree shall instruct the petitioner to obtain a Washington driver's license or a Washington identification card and direct the department of licensing make a notation of the emancipated status on the license or identification card.


§ 13.64.060. Power and capacity of emancipated minor.


(1) An emancipated minor shall be considered to have the power and capacity of an adult, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. A minor shall be considered emancipated for the purposes of, but not limited to:


(a) The termination of parental obligations of financial support, care, supervision, and any other obligation the parent may have by virtue of the parent-child relationship, including obligations imposed because of marital dissolution;


(b) The right to sue or be sued in his or her own name;


(c) The right to retain his or her own earnings;


(d) The right to establish a separate residence or domicile;


(e) The right to enter into nonvoidable contracts;


(f) The right to act autonomously, and with the power and capacity of an adult, in all business relationships, including but not limited to property transactions;


(g) The right to work, and earn a living, subject only to the health and safety regulations designed to protect those under age of majority regardless of their legal status; and


(h) The right to give informed consent for receiving health care services.


(2) An emancipated minor shall not be considered an adult for: (a) The purposes of the adult criminal laws of the state unless the decline of jurisdiction procedures contained in RCW 13.40.110 are used or the minor is tried in criminal court pursuant to *RCW 13.04.030(1)(e)(iv); (b) the criminal laws of the state when the emancipated minor is a victim and the age of the victim is an element of the offense; or (c) those specific constitutional and statutory age requirements regarding voting, use of alcoholic beverages, possession of firearms, and other health and safety regulations relevant to the minor because of the minor's age.


§ 13.64.070. Declaration of emancipation - Voidable.


A declaration of emancipation obtained by fraud is voidable. The voiding of any such declaration shall not affect any obligations, rights, or interests that arose during the period the declaration was in effect.


§ 13.64.080. Forms to initiate petition of emancipation.


The office of the administrator for the courts shall prepare and distribute to the county court clerks appropriate forms for minors seeking to initiate a petition of emancipation.