Emancipation in Pennsylvania

My question involves emancipation laws for the State of: Pennsylvania.

Do they even do emancipations in Pennsylvania?
Sorry, this will be a bit long, but here goes;
I am looking into getting emancipated if possible. I am only fourteen right now, and have a job. My mother works, but its not nearly enough to support my sister and I. My dad sits at home all day watching TV while muted, playing his radio, and on the internet. Needless to say, our electric bill is pretty high, espically because we have electric heat. My grandfather physically abused my father who emotionally abuses me constantly. He is always telling me I am not good enough, putting me down, making me clean up after him and my sister, and insulting me. Its really starting to hurt, and sometimes, I believe him.
My mother is never home to witness this, as she works a nine to five as a medical biller and then cleans houses for extra cash. When I was legally able to get a job, I did, hoping I could help us out.
Our landlord, who charged us 650.00 for rent, died in Janurary, and her daughter, who inhereted the house, is selling it. If it gets sold at her asking price, our rent will be raised to 1,000.00 a month and we will have to move. I don't really worry about this happening at the moment though because of several holes in walls, and the mold that is currently growing on my bedroom wall that my parents won't do anything about. I think the mold is effecting my health. Its black.
I do not currently have any serious health problems, though I do pass out when something disturbs me (bloody, gory scenes, surgeries, etc.), and I recover quickly, I just have to lay down. I also don't have mental health issues, so its not like I would have to pay a lot for health care.
I am in the ninth grade at the moment, and will graduate at 17. I am in the gifted program, not sure if that means anything though. I can't work many hours now, but will be able to within the law at age sixteen.

So I want to know if you think I even have a case. I have a lot of thinking to do, but I don't want to take it up if I don't stand a chance.

Thanks.

Read the sticky at the top of the forum.

Come back in two years.

If you need help earlier, contact child protective services.

Whether or not a minor in Pennsylvania can be emancipated depends on what county you live in. In those which will, the minor will be expected to be able to be COMPLETELY self supporting. That means rent, food, utilities, clothes, transportation, insurance, medical care, the works.

But NOWHERE in PA can a 14 year old be emancipated. In fact, the only state that would even CONSIDER emancipation for a 14 year old is California, and only there if you are a nationally recognized sports star or media darling. (And not even always then.)

thanks. I did read it, I just wanted another opinion.

yeah, I figured I was too young. I heard from a friend you had to be sixteen.
do you know where I can find the laws for my county?

Kate, what do you think emancipation is?

Well, from what little I know about it it will give you some or all of the following rights; ability to sign legal contracts, take over your own health care, move out, and be considered a legal adult. With the exception of tobacco and alcohol, which doesn't matter to me because I hate that stuff. I also know that I will still have to attend school (right?) and many places will not rent to a minor even if emancipated. I know it would be hard. but thats all I really know.
Oh, I do know granting medical emancipation in cases where it is best intrest, and that Abuse (physical and emotional) are two of the few acceptable excuses, right? I am not really sure.

Emancipation means that you are completely responsible for supporting yourself. That means that you have the ability (and in many states a proven history) of paying your own rent, food, clothes, utilities, transportation, insurance, medical care, school fees and supplies, and all the other incidentals of life, while simultaneously going to school and keeping your grades up. It's more than just having people consider you an adult. You also have to take on ALL the adult responsibilities.

Medical emancipation and legal emancipation are two different things. Abuse is NOT a valid reason for legal emancipation. It may or may not be a valid reason for putting you in foster care, or making another relative your legal guardian, but neither physical, mental nor emotional abuse is going to get you legally emancipated.

FYI, of all the kids who have written to this and the other forums where I post, asking about emancipation, do you know how many actually achieved it?
















One.

And he is a most remarkable young man, who was older then than you are now when he was emancipated. He is perhaps the most mature teen I have ever met, not even excepting my own children (who are now in their 20's) and had already been more or less supporting himself before the courts gave him the legal protections he needed. Still, he found it hard going. Before you start thinking that emancipation will make things easier for you, why don't you take a look at his blog: http://blakematt.blogspot.com/2008/0...e-for-you.html

You seem a pretty level headed young lady but I don't think you're quite ready for emancipation yet.

I agree.

Friend Hawk is the only one that I know of that has made it. He is also the first one to tell you that being an adult sucks.

Quote:

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Quoting cyjeff

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being an adult sucks
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That's why I am putting myself up for adoption...