I Need Information on Becoming Emancipated

[Needs_to_get_away09]

I am sixteen and I will turn seventeen October 3rd. I currently live in Texas. My mother and I mix like oil and water. I have lived off and on with her for 3 years. She is bi-polar and sometimes during our arguements Im afraid she will hit me. My father currently filled bankruptcy and is supporting my little sister. He is also in the process of getting a divorce from his wife...(my step mother.) Which means he will be living with his mother (my grandmother) soon. I want to get emancipated and live on my own. I feel as if I am strong enough to support myself. I am willing to do anything to get away from my mother.

Do you have to have a job before you file for emancipation?
(If so for how long?)

Can you split cost on an apartment/house with a roommate and be considered living independently?

How long does the emancipation process last?

If I cant get emancipated now then what are my rights when I turn 17?

[cyjeff]

Do you have to have a job before you file for emancipation?

You must be self-supporting. If you don't have a job, how will you support yourself?

In your state you must already be living independently and must already be supporting yourself in order to file an emancipation petition at age 16.

(If so for how long?)

For long enough that you can show that you can support yourself and that the court will believe you're able to hold the job while managing your life.

Can you split cost on an apartment/house with a roommate and be considered living independently?

Yes, but that's not all that matters -- you need to be able to support yourself. You can expect the court to want to know how you will support yourself if you don't have a roommate paying half of the rent.

How long does the emancipation process last?

It depends on how diligently you handle your petition and how busy the court's docket is. Likely one to three months.

If I cant get emancipated now then what are my rights when I turn 17?

You have the right to petition for emancipation.