Can I Be Emancipated

[amber g.]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: South Carolina

I am 16 years old, will be 17 in June. I live with my mother and step-father. I don't get along with them at all. My mother does nothing but tell me how selfish and self-centered I am and constantly insist that I lie all the time. I understand that all teenagers dissagree with their parents, but this isn't normal. I moved from my father's house at the age of 10 and she does nothing but put me down. I chose to move here to get away from another situation at my dad's. She could never win custudy of me in court, because she was proven mentally unfit according to my father, if that makes a difference. I am a good child and do everything I can to satisfy my parents, but just get put down more. I have never been in trouble at school or law wise. I was wondering if there is any way I can be emancipated. My boyfriend's parents said that I can move in with them if anything. I just know my mother won't let me leave willingly, and I'm pretty sure it's because she gets a check on me every month and she can't work. I just don't know how much longer I can deal with the stress of living with her. Also, every year she has me pack up and leave with her, because she is leaving my step-father, but always comes back. I move school and everything. I just don't feel emotionally stable here and I need a way out.

Thank you.

[Disagreeable]

You are free to move when you become 18.

[Dogmatique]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: South Carolina

I am 16 years old, will be 17 in June. I live with my mother and step-father. I don't get along with them at all. My mother does nothing but tell me how selfish and self-centered I am and constantly insist that I lie all the time. I understand that all teenagers dissagree with their parents, but this isn't normal. I moved from my father's house at the age of 10 and she does nothing but put me down. I chose to move here to get away from another situation at my dad's. She could never win custudy of me in court, because she was proven mentally unfit according to my father, if that makes a difference.

This is false. Your father has allowed you to live with Mom for years now; he's telling the entire world, and every court in the country, that she's absolutely fit to be a parent. She would have no trouble getting legal custody of you. It would be a slam-dunk for her.

I am a good child and do everything I can to satisfy my parents, but just get put down more. I have never been in trouble at school or law wise. I was wondering if there is any way I can be emancipated. My boyfriend's parents said that I can move in with them if anything. I just know my mother won't let me leave willingly, and I'm pretty sure it's because she gets a check on me every month and she can't work. I just don't know how much longer I can deal with the stress of living with her. Also, every year she has me pack up and leave with her, because she is leaving my step-father, but always comes back. I move school and everything. I just don't feel emotionally stable here and I need a way out.

Thank you.

I'm sorry, but there's no way you will qualify for emancipation.

Are you currently living away from home and fully supporting yourself? Are you capable of paying full market rent, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, transportation, sundry items AND maintaining good grades?

The court will absolutely not emancipate you in order for you to go and live with your boyfriend and his parents.

I'm sorry - but emancipation is not an option for you.

[amber g.]

I don't know if I could get a job and do all of those things, because my step-father said that I can't have a job until I get out of high school. They don't want me to have money to buy a car. That way I could leave at the legal age. I would have to stay longer. What is the legal age by the way? AND my dad only let me come here because he gave me a choice and I said yes, before I knew she was this way. My dad completely supports me through all of this and said if I can get out of this house then do it.

[Dogmatique]

You can leave when you're 18.

Your father made a serious error in letting you decide - you should not have been making such a decision at 10 years old. At. All.

The only option I can see - and there's NO guarantee this would even be possible - is your Dad filing for custody of you, and you going back to live with Dad.

But he'd have to show that something had change in your circumstances.

[Disagreeable]

If he completely supports you, he should lobby for your custody.

[amber g.]

I know this and he apoligizes for it all the time. He is in Alabama, so I don't know.

How come my bf's mother was able to be emancipated? She ran away several times and the last time the cops came and got her, she said she didn't want to go back, so they took it to court and she got emancipated and lived with her boyfriend. How was this possible?

[Disagreeable]

The laws were probably different when she started trading her body for a roof over her head. If you feel I am wrong, stop sleeping with him and discover how long you will be welcome. That is why you must prove you are self sufficient by law.

[Dogmatique]

Probably many years ago, and in a completely different situation - or, somebody has gotten their information mixed up a little.

And Amber - don't even think of running away. That shows the court - today's courts - that you're nowhere near mature enough to be on your own.

This country has made it incredibly difficult for teens to become emancipated, and for good reason. The judge will be looking for ANY reason to deny a petition. Any single reason.

[cbg]

How come my bf's mother was able to be emancipated? She ran away several times and the last time the cops came and got her, she said she didn't want to go back, so they took it to court and she got emancipated and lived with her boyfriend. How was this possible?

It wasn't. I don't know what happened but it didn't happen that way. Someone, somewhere, is either not telling the truth or is not remembering properly.