Do I Have a Viable Case for Emancipation

[marycheyenne]

My parents drink & fight constantly. I'm only fifteen and am Always stuck in the middle of it. When things get bad, my Step Father has abused my mom. The only thing keeping things somewhat remotely okay around here are my brothers who will be leaving for the army in one month. I'm always scared of what's going to happen when they fight next because they end up drunk driving too on the nights they get really angry. I'm often kept up late or all night with this and it is affecting my school. I normally stay with my best friend as much as possible and her mom says I need to do something about this. But I'm scared of what will happen if I took it to court and also would I be able to live with her. Neither of my parents are fit parents. My dad is angry and abusive. While my mom is an alcoholic who is an angry drunk and puts me at chance of danger when she drives that way. What are my options here? I really don't want to be stuck in this house any longer. Also I live in Florida.

[Disagreeable]

You have the option of calling the police if you are threatened and childrens services if you are harmed. You don't have any chance of moving into you BFF's cause her mommy n daddy like you.

[flyingron]

Emancipation is not a procedure to liberate you from parental enslavement, it's for recognizing children that are already living independently who need relief from certain laws like those preventing them from entering into contracts. In Florida, you won't get emancipated at 15 PERIOD. You can't get emancipated at 16 without parental consent.

We don't turn chlldren out on their own because they are being abused, we find alternative placement. Contact someone at your school or the Florida child abuse hotline 1-800-962-2873

[marycheyenne]

My parents drink & fight constantly. I'm only fifteen and am Always stuck in the middle of it. When things get bad, my Step Father has abused my mom. I have never been physically abused yet. It has came close to it plenty of times before though. I am mentally and emotionally abused constantly. I am put down, told that I am stupid and can never do anything right when I actually never do a thing wrong. The only thing keeping things somewhat remotely okay around here are my brothers who will be leaving for the army in one month. I'm afraid of what will end up happening especially when they leave. I'm always scared of what's going to happen when they fight next because they end up drunk driving too on the nights they get really angry. Not to mention I am left home alone alot! I'm often kept up late or all night with this and it is affecting my school. I normally stay with my best friend as much as possible and her mom says I need to do something about this. But I'm scared of what will happen if I took it to court and also would I be able to live with her. Neither of my parents are fit parents. My dad is angry and abusive. While my mom is an alcoholic who is an angry drunk and puts me at chance of danger when she drives that way. Also in her drunk rampages, she has cussed me out, pushed and hit me a few times before. What are my options here? I really don't want to be stuck in this house any longer. Also I live in Florida. I don't want to be put into a home or sent away either. I would like to know if there is anyway I could be placed in a fit home of my choice if the inhabitants of the household went to court with me. Also, what are the processes & regulations of taking this to court?

[marycheyenne]

Okay, thank you. Is there a way that I am able to choose my alternative placement? Even if the inhabitants of the chosen household went with me to court?

[aardvarc]

my Step Father has abused my mom

Physically? How many times have you called 911 if mom is being abused? 15 is plenty old enough to know how to do that.

But I'm scared of what will happen if I took it to court and also would I be able to live with her.

There's nothing for YOU to take anywhere. You can report abuse to authorities, and if there are issues found, THEY will take the matter before the court. If abuse is found, and you are removed from the home, it'll be up to the court where you'll be placed.

Also in her drunk rampages, she has cussed me out, pushed and hit me a few times before. What are my options here?

Again: if you're being abused, you need to report the abuse to authorities. You can call 911, you can talk to a counselor at school, or you can call the hotline given to you in the other thread.

I don't want to be put into a home or sent away either.

That won't be up to you. Either you want out or you don't, there is no "I want out but only MY way".

I would like to know if there is anyway I could be placed in a fit home of my choice if the inhabitants of the household went to court with me.

IF abuse is found, and IF you are actually removed from the home by CPS, THEN and ONLY THEN would non-family members be able to talk to CPS about potential placement with them. The system isn't one where you find somewhere you like better then try to get there. Unless this other family has previously been certified as a foster home, odds aren't in favor of CPS entertaining that idea. And, realistically, even if you were removed, it would generally be for only a short time while your parents worked through a case plan to prepare for your return.

Also, what are the processes & regulations of taking this to court?

There aren't. This isn't up to you. All YOU can go about the situation is report any abuse or illegal activity to authorities.

[marycheyenne]

Okay, thank you very much.

[Dogmatique]

Generally no.