Emancipation of a Teen Mom in Kentucky

[erica1]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Kentucky
I am sixteen years old and I gave birth to my son almost three weeks ago. I am currently living with my mom, but I would like to get emancipated. My mom won't let me get a job right now because she wants me to be home with the baby every day, which is fine other than the fact that I don't want her to have to raise him, he is my son and it is my responsibility, not hers. I was hoping I could get emancipated so that I can get a job and support him myself and my father agrees with me also (my parents are divorced). I don't know what to do to get emancipated and I was curious about if it is going to be possible.

[cbg]

No, it's not possible.

First, by getting pregnant at 16 you have shown the courts that you need more supervision, not less.

Second, in no state can you get emancipated and then get a job. You cannot get emancipated unless you already HAVE a job, and one that will pay all your own support (and in your case that would mean all the baby's support too). Most teens cannot even support themselves on what they can earn while still going to school; we won't even think about how much additional it would cost you to pay for a baby's support as well. Did I mention that you need to be making better than average grades before a judge will consider emancipation? And don't even think about dropping out of school, or even enrolling for a GED; that'll kill your petition before you start.

In short, you do not qualify for emancipation on several fronts.