Emancipation of Girlfriend in Tennessee

[bluedevils]

Hey everyone.

I am 20 and my girlfriend is currently 15. She lives in Tennessee, I live in Idaho. She'll be turning 16 this January and will be getting custody of herself. I guess this is emancipation. I've never dealt with anything like this so bare with me.

Once she gets that she wants to move here to Idaho and live with me. Since she will have custody of herself, are we allowed to do this? Or will I get in trouble for living with her?

[aaron]

You need to find out specifically what you are referencing when you say she "will be getting custody of herself". You can't get relevant legal information if you're guessing as to what that means.

[bluedevils]

Okay, sorry for the confusion. I got some clarification and yes, she is being emancipated in January. So what does this mean for us?

[aaron]

I'm not sure - the online sources which describe emancipation law in Tennessee indicate that there is no emancipation status in that state. If you find out from her the process by which she is obtaining emancipation, maybe somebody can clarify.

[bluedevils]

Alright, thanks, I'll talk with her and check back here as soon as I know more.

[bluedevils]

UPDATE:

Okay, I talked with her, and she is going to a local court and going to try to prove she is able to care for herself and show them why she should be emancipated. That's my understanding.

So, help anyone?

[turbowray]

Even being emancipated, does not protect you from breaking the law, if she is to young for you to be with, and her going over state lines, to do something illegal, that includes sex, becomes a federal offence. Be careful!

[bluedevils]

Thanks, that's what I'd thought and that's what I'd told her. Just wanted to double check with y'all.

Thanks for the help!

[bluedevils]

Sorry to bring this back up. My girlfriend wanted me to read the following outtake from a journal she gets. Don't ask which one, she just typed it up for me and sent it to me. I decided I would check with you guys since you seem to know what you're talking about:

"If you are an emancipated minor the Age of Consent laws do not apply to you. An emancipated minor is a minor who has been legally deemed an adult, with all the responsibilities and rights of an adult."

So, she argued the point (she's going into law herself in college - very bright girl) that she could still live with me as of January....or whenever they finish the court proceedings.

Is she correct?

[panther10758]

Are you willing to risk inprisonment to find out?