Can You Emancipate if Your Parents are Mentally Ill or Alcoholic

[lexiedgar44]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Michigan

I'm 17 years old. My mother was diagnosed with bipolar about 9 years ago. Its been a troubling battle ever since. I've been passed around from family members to friends and so forth. My parents divorced when I was in 5th grade, now in 11th. My father has remarried but is very little involved in my daily life. He supposed to pay alimony to my mother on a weekly basis, as well as child support but this does not happen consistently. He misses payments, only pays half, etc. My mother depends on the money, too much so in my opinion, and she is insufficient in supporting me as well as herself. If you are to be depending on something inconsistent, you are inconsistent yourself. In 2009 I began living with a family friend who eventually became my guardian. My mother gave up her rights while in mental health court and they were transferred to my guardian. My mother has "stabilized" herself and has recently received guardianship back. I was not in court the final day of this ruling, partially because my guardian and mother did not ask. They knew I would be unhappy with the agreement and I can be an openly opinionated person at times. I was tried with the same judge my mother had in mental health court, and the same judge that my oldest sister had taken a summer internship from. There was always a bias towards my mother. Being back with my mother creates a large strain on myself. I have a job and work 4-5 days a week. I'm not only supporting myself but my mother frequently asks me for money for things such as gas and cigarettes. Being 17 I'm not even legally allowed to purchase cigarettes so I feel it is unfair that my money should be going to things of this nature. I do not have a car because I have a hard time saving when I have to give extra money to my mother here and there. I do not think it is fair for me to have to be supporting her, but she had gotten a new car over the summer with payments she clearly cannot afford. She has a job, but it provides her no benefits and clearly cannot keep up with her lifestyle. I've been living the same reality for 9 years now and I am at my whits end. I've learned to fend for myself and grown up very independent. I do not want to be further held back by my parents. I feel at 17 I am beginning my future and I need to make my own decisions to better myself. I have good grades in school and enjoy it thoroughly. I have great time management and I'm self motivated. I really need direction on where to go with my emancipation and what my first step will be. I know the average age in Michigan is 18, but I feel I have a fair chance and if there is any hope in it benefiting my future I believe it is the step I need to take.

[Dogmatique]

Unless you are able to prove to the court that you are able to fully support yourself, you will not be emancipated.

(Market rent, utilities, health insurance, transportation, food, clothing, all while keeping better-than-average grades?)

When are you 18?

[PandorasBox]

If the court would accept your case....you would likely be 18 by the time it reached the court room...

Hold off a little longer. Get your High School Diploma. Don't give mom any money.