What Does it Take to Get Emancipated

[ladyofthemaiden]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Florida. I turned 16 in June and would like to know if i would be granted emancipation. I have great grades in school and am currently taking campus and online courses. I am a Junior. I am self supporting. I pay for my own class fees, my own food, and whatever else i feel i really need. My dad recently took $300 from me because he believes i stole something of his. When i try to defend myself he yells at me to shut the **** up. He started taking random things from me such as a good percentage of my clothes and said he will start selling my things until he gets what's his. Problem is, i don't have it. When i was 15 years old he shoved me into the back of a couch and caused long term damage to my ribs on my right side. He and my mother are always threatening me with things such as, " I'm going to knock your teeth in.", " I'm going to knock you out." and most recently " you don't even want to know what i'm going to do to you." My father has called me a whore, a skank, a slut, and a bitch. My mom says my stupidity amazes her even though i make amazing grades. The money my dad took was my savings money for my first place to stay. A friend of mine was concerned for me due to my past depression problems and reported to DCF telling the social worker what my parents do to me. In April of this year my father belted me to the point of me having whips and bruises plus a bruise on my arm where he was pulling on me to get me off the floor to continue hitting me. The social worker said she couldn't do anything. After finding out i wanted an emancipation my parents said they were going to either send me to a foster home or a children's home. He tells me a lot that he can't wait for me to get out when I'm 18. If i show I'm upset about something I'm told to fix my face because nobody should have to deal with my problems. If i mess up anything even in the slightest way my father yells and says i'm going to be a failure. My family has shown agression towards me too. My uncle said he was going to drag me off the couch and beat my ass. My parents always act like their the victims and I do them wrong in every way. They still bring up the fact that i slept with my boyfriend months ago and act like it's still happening. They turn everything into that and nothing i do is ever good enough for them. I have a place set up to stay where i will be paying rent, my grades are great. All A's only 2 B's. I have my budget planned out already and i have 2 jobs in line that were already offered to me but my parents wouldn't allow me to work. They keep telling me the court won't help me but i'd like anothers opinion. They buy a lot for me but most of the stuff they buy i don't ask for. Then they say I'm ungrateful because i have everything but i want to leave. The only thing they do now is but me things. They're not there for me when they need to be emotionally. I believe it is on my best interest to be on my own. Will the court allow this?

[Dogmatique]

In FL, you have virtually no chance because a) your parents would have to file and b) you are unable to prove that you can manage your finances adequately.

[BooRennie]

Abused children are not emancipated, they are placed in alternate settings (foster care).

[cbg]

You are not self supporting. You are not paying rent and utilities and medical insurance and you're not working. Emancipation is not granted on the basis of what you're going to do in future if the judge signs your petition; it's granted on what you've already done and are doing currently.

In no state is abuse a valid reason for emancipation.

In Florida, unless your parents sign the petition for your emancipation, it cannot and will not happen. Even if they do, it's not guaranteed, but if they won't, it's simply not going to happen.

[ladyofthemaiden]

I have documents stating what i pay for. Which is a majority of what i have. I don't pay rent now but the second i would be out, i have a place lined up. My mother said she would petition because she is tired of me trying to leave.

[Dogmatique]

You're missing the point, I think.

You must already have a history of being fully self-supporting. Full market rent, utilities, transportation, insurance, clothing, food...

You have to understand that the court is going to be looking for a reason to deny the petition. Any reason. You're only a few months past 16. How much are you going to be earning (while keep high grades)?

[cbg]

If you're convinced that you qualify and your mother is willing to sign, then by all means have her do so. The judge will tell you whether you qualify or not. He likely won't be as polite about it as we've been; you might get a thorough tongue-lashing for wasting his time; and he'll spell out for you all the reasons why you aren't getting emancipated.

But if you'd rather hear it from the judge than us, by all means. Full speed ahead.

[adjusterjack]

When your father assaults you, call the police when it happens so they can make an official report about the injuries to DCF.

A couple of those reports may get you out of the house and into foster care. Might also get your father put in jail.

But it isn't likely to get you emancipated.

[cbg]

See, this is the part I don't get about these "abused" teenagers.

They want out of the house if it means they can live with their significant other, or the SO's family, or off on their own somewhere.

But if it means living in foster care or a group home or with another relative, they'd just as soon stay where they are.

It's only bad enough to leave, if they get to leave on their own terms.

That says something to me about how bad the "abuse" actually is. And I'll bet we'll be hearing from Missy on that point too, and for good reason.

[Disagreeable]

I said something similar and it was deleted as not relevant. My "so abused" teenager is now in college, 21 and still on my dime. Us abusive parents are so tough.

See, this is the part I don't get about these "abused" teenagers.

They want out of the house if it means they can live with their significant other, or the SO's family, or off on their own somewhere.

But if it means living in foster care or a group home or with another relative, they'd just as soon stay where they are.

It's only bad enough to leave, if they get to leave on their own terms.

That says something to me about how bad the "abuse" actually is. And I'll bet we'll be hearing from Missy on that point too, and for good reason.