My mother and father have been separated all my life . My mother has full custody and I rarely communicate with my father . Due to struggles I've decied I am ready to be on my own and want my own custody. Is that anyway possible?
2007-02-07 21:04:16 · 24 answers · asked by Antonia T 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
Legal ways yes, you have to emancipate yourself. Go through the courts and prove to them you can survive on your own.
2007-02-07 21:07:01 · answer #1 · answered by The_Answerer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yea you have to be emancipated through the courts. But honestly at 16 there aren't really any GOOD jobs that will pay the bills that you can get at 16. Besides the grass isn't greener on this side. Think of it this way my bills are: $750-Rent $330-Car payment, $150 electricity, $100 water/sewage, $100 cable/phone, $275 vehicle insurance, Gas for 2 cars is about $140 a month, $200 food, . If you think you can pay for all this and have money to have a life by yourself on a 16 year old's income then be my guest. You may think you want to live on your own at 16 which most 16 year olds do, but living at home with little responsibilities is where you need to be until you can support yourself. If you can bring home over $2000 a month to afford to live then go for it. But any serious business where you can make a legitimate living isn't going to hire a 16 year old. And you can't support yourself working in the mall...believe me I've tried!
2007-02-08 05:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by kalypsokitty 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You would have to become an emancipated minor. Only a judge can approve this and they generally won't grant it just because you think you are able to live on your own. I believe you would need to prove it was in your best interest that you become emancipated and that life at home was really bad.
How do you plan on supporting yourself? Are you prepared to work full time and finish school? Unless, you are being abused or mistreated, I would recommend toughing it out at home like most disgruntled teenagers. Good luck with whatever you decide and I really hope things aren't that bad for you at home. My husband was emancipated at 16 and would never recommend it unless the situation at home was intolerable and there were no other options such as living with relatives or friends.
2007-02-08 05:26:55 · answer #3 · answered by Swim Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although I applaud your zeal for wanting to be independent, you must weigh this out in an adult manner.
At 16 years old, you are going to have many obstacles against you if you decide to leave home. Assuming you do not have a place to go to, then you would need one. Most landlords will not rent to a minor, because they are not allowed to. Even if you were allowed to, you would need to produce, generally, first and last months rent and a security deposit. The total amount would depend on what the landlord requires for rent.
Next, you would need security deposits on electric, cable, water and other utilities. Being a minor, those utility companies would probably not deal with you due to your age.
Next... transportation. If you're in the city, that should not be a problem, because public transportation is available. But if you are rural, then you will need a car. If you do not have one, you will be severely handicapped. Not to mention, even if you did score a car, most insurance companies won't insure you at 16, and if you got lucky and found one who did, the premiums would far exceed your earnings.
Employment- You will be limited as to what job you can get due to your age.
Credit- You cannot get credit, on average, until you're at least 18-21.
You have approximately two years before you can leave home and have a relatively good chance at making it. At age 18, you have more advantages then you ever will at 16. Although I sympathize with you, I was in the same spot as you are at age 16, I'm just giving you firsthand knowledge, because I've been there.
If there is any way for you to tough it out for awhile longer, I'd suggest that you do so. If you have some kind of a job, I would recommend that you sock away as much money as you can. And when you reach 18, you're going to be much more prepared to get out into the world.
I'm not shooting down your dreams, I'm really not. I'm just telling you the straight up facts. I admire you for wanting to be independent, but to be independent, you need to have all your ducks in a row. To set out unprepared is a recipe for disaster. Use your head, not your emotions. And you will succeed.
Best wishes to you.
2007-02-08 05:19:35 · answer #4 · answered by C J 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is possible. I have looked after myself very well since the tender age of 14 & paid rent, bills, bought healthy food & held down a job of some kind. I started re-educating myself at 16, finished my HSC at 23, my degree at 28 & my masters degree at 35 years old. I now have a great job, make great money & support myself & my 3 children with a modest lifestyle & i was never considered intelligent or above average at school. Go for it. As for the legal aspects - just do it! You never know your parents may not put up a fight. If they do then seek some legal advice & see what you are entilted to. Go for it!
2007-02-08 06:00:46 · answer #5 · answered by Mishell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, but it is best to stay with your mom because most places won't rent to you unless you are 18-21. If you don't have a college education, don't expect to make much money either. Some places you have to be 18 to work there.
How would you survive?
The judge would take all this into consideration and probably deny you your own custody.
2007-02-08 05:12:35 · answer #6 · answered by Tumbleweed 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As easy as it may sound I would wait until your 18 years old and try finishing up school and go to college and after you finish that you'll be ready to go out on your own by then and you'll have less problems getting a good paying job and you wont have to work a small job and have to live pay check to pay check.
Think of it this way it's only two more years. And try to find a college that have dorms that you can live in while your going there.
2007-02-08 19:20:17 · answer #7 · answered by T78 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. Contact a lawyer and divorce your parents. You know you only have 2 more years until you are 18 and free to do what you want but since your ready to get your own place, job, pay bills and all that goes with that have fun in doing so.
2007-02-08 05:09:09 · answer #8 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes there are ways but you got to go through the court systems and its not easyyou do relize that getting out on your own is not easy you have bills how are you going to pay for a place ,food,elec. ,look i dont know you buy if worse came to worse i would sit and talk to your mother tell her your thoughts maybe you both can come to meet in the middle its not easy you only got 2 more years it might be best you stay maybe find your dad and ask him for some help good luck and be safe
2007-02-08 05:58:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get yourself legally emancipated in most states at the age of 16, but you will have to prove that living on your own and being able to control all of your legal rights isn't going to be detrimental to you and society.
Contact your local government court or visit their website to find out more information.
2007-02-08 08:58:43 · answer #10 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you can prove to the court/judge that you 1) Can take care of yourself financially 2) Attend school and finish school 3) Availability of a job and a place to stay, and being at a friend's house is not going to cut it.
2007-02-08 12:56:54 · answer #11 · answered by Mutchkin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋