Can You Get Emancipated Based on a Parent's Withdrawing You from School

[Michael Compton]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Washington I know the process of emancipation but my question to you is if my case will hold in court. I am 16 years old soon to be 17 I am a Washington resident and I am soon to get my drivers license I had a job as a mechanic under the table for over a year making $11.00 a hour I don't know if I'm aloud to use that in my case seeing how it was under the table. My reason for emancipation is my mother has started to do frowned apon things and pulled me out of school almost a year ago and has not put me back in. I do intend to go back to school that is one of my reasons for emancipation but also she has been doing many acts that a Sertain government department would not like if u know what I'm saying no I won't say what it is she is doing I'm going to try and Not say it in my case also. I have family I can move in with I have a job I'm going to have my license In less then a month and I have $3.000 for a vehicle my home life isn't well and I need to get out any answers will be much appreciated thank you for ur time.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you have reviewed the law, you know that to become emancipated you must convince a court thhat you have the ability to manage your financial, personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs.

I had a job as a mechanic under the table for over a year making $11.00 a hour I don't know if I'm aloud to use that in my case seeing how it was under the table.

You need a present source of income. Having formerly held a job is not evidence that you can presently support yourself.

To the extent that you want to introduce your past employment, you can establish your past income using your tax return. If you committed tax fraud by not reporting your income, that would weigh against the position that you are able to manage your own financial affairs.

My reason for emancipation is my mother has started to do frowned apon things....

Those things may be grounds for you to seek assistance from protective services.

Also, where's dad?

...and pulled me out of school almost a year ago and has not put me back in.

To the extent that the back story relates to your mother's eccentricities, that again is more a matter for a protective services report than for emancipation. Depending on the facts, the reasons for your withdrawal from school may reflect poorly on you -- without knowing the facts we can't tell you if it's neutral to your petition or a hindrance.

I do intend to go back to school that is one of my reasons for emancipation....

A court may respond positively to that argument, assuming you can otherwise substantiate your petition.

I have family I can move in with....

Proving that you can manage your own financial affairs involves a lot more than moving in with another family. Would you be able to support yourself if they change their minds, or if they kick you out?

I have a job....

One with a lawful, reported stream of income? Enough to support yourself?

I'm going to have my license In less then a month and I have $3.000 for a vehicle

Have you priced out the cost of maintenance, gasoline and insurance? If you are in a location where you can get by using mass transportation, you are better served by allocating your resources to a bus pass. If you're not, don't underestimate how substantial the cost of car ownership is going to be -- the judge will be aware of the actual cost.

So far you have shared with us insufficient information to substantiate financial independence or the ability to manage your own financial affairs, and no information to suggest that you can manage your own personal, social and nonfinancial affairs. Your plan to re-enroll in school, particularly if offered in concrete terms (e.g., "I'll start in [this school] on [this date], having already verified my eligibility to enroll"), may help you with that factor.

From what you've shared so far, you're falling short.