Moving Out To Another State

[ryan4513]

hey im a 16 year old guy...so the run down of this is...abuse in earlier years, the relationship was not meant to be and they wont get divorced for money issues...i keep moving, which is really hard on my social life...my parents fight a lot, its apparent they both have permanent damage from drug usage in earlier years...one is still a drug addict, the other i cant say im 100% sure of (both with medication) however i would rather not report it because i feel it would create more problems and they could get away with it...it is REALLY affecting my school work (im a junior, a really important year in highschool) i feel really stressed and/or depressed...

so my questions/problems are...

1) my parents won't file it, they want to try counseling, which we have done countless times and it doesnt work...creates more problems

2) i want to move up to seattle, in with my old friends...am i able to? which laws would i have to apply to? washington or florida?

3) how do i maintain work (isnt it a requirement of being emancipated?) and still maintain full time school (i do not want a GED or to go to alternative school)?

4) i want to go to college

5) do adult laws apply to me? for example would i go to jail if i goofed up? would the sentencing time be just as long as for an adult? how would i get out and pay court fines?

6) how does health insurance or any other insurances work for that matter (not sure what i need or what i should have)? would a job any 16 year old is going to get give them health insurance (for example safeway or mcdonalds)?

7) where do i get this form and how long does it take?

8) is there any way the courts can allow me to move out while them still having to pay for my food/insurance?

would REALLY appreciate some quick answers, as i plan on making a move soon...thanks

[cbg]

1.) Too bad. In Florida, you cannot be emancipated unless they file and you have no leverage to force them to. In Washington, you can file without their permisssion but they can oppose it, and if they do, the burden of proof is on you to show that the court's failure to emancipate you would cause you harm, which is a very high standard to meet.

2.)You cannot move out at 16 in either state without your parents permission.

3.) That's something you will have to figure out.

4.) This is not a question. But if you're thinking that your parents can still be required to pay for your college after you've been emancipated, forget that. Emancipation MEANS that they have no further responsibility for you.

5.) Depends on the crime.

6.) Quite unlikely. Not impossible, but benefits like health insurance don't usually apply to minimum wage jobs.

7.) Try the county clerks office and it depends on how busy they are.

8.) Not a prayer. Either you're responsible for yourself and you get to move out, or you're not responsible for yourself and you stay where you are.

[aaron]

In Florida, as your parents have to initiate the emancipation petition and the petition is supposed to include a plan for your future support, it is conceivable that parents could voluntarily offer to provide financial support, insurance, etc., and have that entered as part of a court's emancipation order. (The petition must contain "A statement of the minor's character, habits, education, income, and mental capacity for business, and an explanation of how the needs of the minor with respect to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities will be met.")

But from what you say your parents are not interested in filing an emancipation petition, let alone providing you with support if you run away.