What is Enough to Get Emancipated

[Jimmytriezenberg]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Indiana
I apologize to begin another emancipation post, however, this is regarding my girlfriend who is 16 and I am 17. She has been sexually abused at home living with her grandparents for the last 10 years and 2 days ago reported it. She has no other family for her to stay with and has had a traumatic experience with foster care as a child however that was apparently the only option. So now she is in a temporary group home and she has no wishes to be reunited with the grandmother after the grandfather is possibly convicted and also that their only source of income is the grandfather and herself actually. I know it sounds like a boy wants to rescue girl story but I just need facts and help. I recently talked to a few adults one being a school teacher who is very knowledgeable, who has been in the situation, and that we trust. Proving the information I will give you he said that she has a good chance, however, I should begin with the circumstances. She wants to be emancipated because she once lived with her highly abusive grandparents but didn't want CPS involved. Now, as of yesterday, she is in a group home temporarily because she had no relative to stay with. That being the case she wants to be anywhere but foster care also due to her incident as a child there. Now I'll begin with what we have going. She currently does work and makes about $300 a month. Checks can be provided to prove steady income. She would be staying with me rent free, however, I believe it would be beneficial to provide some rent contract that she can afford so I am planning to find one online that can just be used to show to a court she is capable of paying for her share of the food and for the rent, even though she will be here rent free. My house is literally across the street from my home and school is 4 blocks away. So all that she needs is within walking distance of home. She payed the utility bills in her previous home and pays for her own things so she is very independent. I was also considering putting money into a banking account in her name that she can show as another means of paying her way.

If there's something I'm missing or I need please let me know. This is all the information I've collected so far, any information regarding necessary steps or other information I need please reveal it to me. If any other information is needed I will provide whatever I can.

I was also told because we were 16 and 17 adoption by my guardian is possible without the drawbacks of being siblings and that marriage would work, however, I'm not sure how to make that happen. These are some other ideas, any input on the best path would be appreciated.

Thank You

[Disagreeable]

You are missing the fact that she is apparently a ward of the state and subject to their direction.

[Dogmatique]

I'm sorry, but there is no chance she will qualify for emancipation in Indiana.

Please read the other threads in this section.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If she's a ward of the court and in a group home, she will have to discuss her options with her case worker.

She does not live autonomously, and cannot support herself on $300 per month. You've read this, right? She must be able to support herself to qualify for emancipation.

Some states have programs to transition older teens to independent living, if they're sufficiently mature. If Indiana has such a program available, perhaps her case worker can help her figure out if and when she might qualify.

[Jimmytriezenberg]

I am in the process of obtaining her another job which will do a little more than double her income, and transportation was the last issue I was told and that it may be public or private so that she does not need a license or her own car. If her income is raised what would be considered a reasonable amount to be considered "self-sufficient'"?

Thank You

[Disagreeable]

You aren't getting this. It won't happen.

[Mr. Knowitall]

No, $600 per month is not sufficient to support yourself. You can do math, right? Add rent, utilities, food, transportation, health care, household items, clothes, telephone....

No comment on the rest of what I wrote?

[Jimmytriezenberg]

She is being rented a room for $100 a month a small percentage of the food she will cover, however most of these things that she will be paying is just to show the court, she will actually be living rent free and with transportation.

[Disagreeable]

Again, this is not going to happen. You do not understand the big picture. If she wins and collects the mega millions jackpot, that would be the first positive step. Unfortunately, she cannot do that as a minor either.

[cbg]

But how is she going to show the court that she will be able to support herself if the person she is living with kicks her out, or gets transferred to New Zealand, or is hit by a bus? That counts too. Living in someone else's house paying a token rent and some of the groceries while they pay the balance of the rent, food, utilities etc. is NOT self-support.