Moving Out Before 18

[Luthien]

I have read over emancipation laws in many states trying to find precise details about the requirements for being emancipated. I live in Washington and must be 16. I am almost 17, so I obviously meet that requirement. I have a job and pay my parents my part of every bill, and have receipts to prove it.

I do want to get emancipated, but some of the best details on reasons for emancipation are 1.) Being married; 2.) Being in the military; 3.) Being pregnant; 4.) Living apart from your parents and managing your own money; or 5.) Having the court find that emancipation is in the best interest of the minor, parents, or child of the minor. I am not married at the moment, I am not serving in the military, I am not pregnant, and at the moment I live with my parents.

My parents do not drink, do drugs, or abuse me. I am not in a bad household. Some of my main issues for wanting to be emancipated are that my parents are already supporting my 40 year-old-sister, they're 18 year-old granddaughter, and they're 2 year-old great-granddaughter. I have the financial capability and I am mature enough to live on my own. I already have 3 other responsible people willing to share the cost of rent with me. I would like to ease the load on my parents.

My parents are also very controlling. I am in a program called Running Start, meaning that I am earning college credit while still in high school. I have a 3.63 GPA showing that I am responsible enough to go to class and do my homework when teachers are not near as vigilant as high school teachers. However, my parents still tell me that I am a disappointment. I no longer select the classes they tell me to take and I have a different aspiration for a career than what they want me to do. I understand that they only want what is best for me, but the career I have chosen is a very stable career, and does a huge service to the community (I aspire to become an officer and hopefully after a few years of experience become a Homicide Detective). I am growing tired of being told that I am a disappointment and would like to prove to them that I am capable of succeeding without their help.

I have one final reason for emancipation. My boyfriend and I plan on getting married at the latest as soon as I turn 18. I know that is early however we have been together for a long time and have honestly taken everything we can think of into consideration. My boyfriend will be going to basic in early January 2008. He is leaving just before my 18th birthday, meaning we cannot get married before he leaves because my parents will not allow it.

I have a practical reason for getting married before he leaves for basic. While he is in basic I will be nearly on my own, moving down to San Antonio and trying to find a place by myself. If we are married before he goes into basic I will get a housing stipend and other stipends and benefits while he is in basic. I would be nearly dependent on getting those stipends in order to have a place to live, food to eat, etc.

Forgive me for my long explanation; here is the point of it all. I have two questions. 1.) Are my reasons for emancipation acceptable? The law in Washington does state that I have to prove that it would not be detrimental for me to live on my own; it never says that it MUST be detrimental to me if I stayed at my parents' home. 2.) Can I move out of my house before I turn 18 and without being emancipated? One of the conditions above was that a minor was living apart from their parents and managing their own money.

[aaron]

Washington's emancipation laws provide that anybody aged 16 or older can petition for emancipation.

(1) A petition for emancipation shall be signed and verified by the petitioner, and shall include the following information: (a) The full name of the petitioner, the petitioner's birthdate, and the state and county of birth; (b) a certified copy of the petitioner's birth certificate; (c) the name and last known address of the petitioner's parent or parents, guardian, or custodian; (d) the petitioner's present address, and length of residence at that address; (e) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs, including any supporting information; and (f) a declaration by the petitioner indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs, including any supporting information.

(2) Fees for this section are set under RCW 36.18.014.

The petitioner must prove at a hearing by "clear and convincing evidence: (a) That the petitioner is sixteen years of age or older; (b) that the petitioner is a resident of the state; (c) that the petitioner has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs; and (d) that the petitioner has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs." RCW 13.64.050.