Hey, I'm 17 years old, and I really would like to become an emancipated minor. Actually, "like" isn't the best word. I need to. I currently live in Long Island with my father (who has full and complete custody of me), and the living envoirnment is anything but ideal. Most of the time, there is no or barely any food in the house (and he makes WAY more than enough to supply food). He doesn't keep up with my medical appiontments (I have scoliosis and I'm supposed to see the doctor for annual checkups, but he refuses to go despite my constant reminders). On top of this, I am not allowed to see my friends, talk to them on the phone, or even email them online. No, I didn't get in trouble. He is just very controlling and dominating, and I am on the verge of just walking out the door even as I type this. To emphasize this point, he made my mother so mentally sick at one point that she needed a pyschiatrist) I have social anxiety, and I just recently met a group of friends. Instead of being happy for me, he pulled the plug. I also had depression, and he (in some instances) went as far as LAUGHING at me in my face. He is EXTREMELY verbally abusive as well. I would like to live with either my friend or my mom. He refuses to give up custody because he knows that's what I want. What I want to know are these two things:
1)Can I become an Emancipated minor? I have heard that you need to have a stable income, but what if I explain to them that I can't have a job because my father knows I would try to become emancipated?
2)If things get so bad as that I run away to live with my best friend or mother (who has absolutley no custody of me), could either one of them get into any trouble for not sending me back to him? (remember im 17 years old)
3) I know I sound impatient by asking this, but how long does the emancipation process usually take? I'm asking because the situation here is becoming unbearable.
Thank you for all your help. It's greatly appreciated.
-Brenden

