I am 17 years old, and I want to get a divorce from my parents. I want to know what is all involved, what should I do, and how much would it cost me? I have very good grounds to stand on, neither of my parents live with me. My mother/Father divorced when I was nine, my mother left with another man to another state,started another family and hasen't contacted me since. My dad made me stay with my grandparents, while he stay with another woman but he still live in this state but not with me, he never supported me at all. Since then and to this day My grandma has tooken care of me, bought me things I need. But she refuses to adopt me and she will not help me with things like this.So how would I go about doing this myself and what do I need to do?
2007-08-19 05:05:58 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
the state I live in is Ohio
2007-08-19 05:14:40 · update #1
Ok, everyone can calm down with the smart A** answers.. ok?! Thank you for answering but I got my answer so whatever!
2007-08-19 05:32:49 · update #2
I'M SORRY TO READ OF YOUR SAD SITUATION. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. BUT, THANK GOD FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER. SINCE YOU ARE 17 YEARS OLD IT DOESN'T SEEM NECESSARY TO SEEK A DIVORCE FROM YOUR PARENTS AS THEY HAVE ALREADY BASICALLY ABANDONED YOU. YOU WILL BE 18 SOON AND ON YOUR OWN ANYWAY. IF YOU WANT TO BE EMANCIPATED FROM THEIR LONG ARM OF CONTROL THEN YOU COULD GET MARRIED.....THAT WOULD DO THE TRICK. HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T SEEM NECESSARY TO GO TO COURT FOR A DIVORCE FROM YOUR PARENTS, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO REGARDING THEIR ABANDONMENT. I WOULDN'T WASTE MY TIME, INSTEAD START PREPARING YOURSELF FOR THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT YOURSELF. SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE. AS A FINAL THOUGHT, THEY WILL REALIZE THEIR MISTAKE WHEN THEY GET OLD AND FIND NO CHILD WILLING TO HELP THEM. THIS HAPPENS TO MANY SENIOR CITIZENS, SO REMEMBER, TREAT YOUR CHILDREN WITH LOVE OR ELSE YOU WILL PAY FOR IT IN YOUR OLD AGE.
2007-08-19 05:17:01 · answer #1 · answered by Gottaloveher 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well your already 17 so I mean you can just wait it out until your 18 when you'll be considered an adult and you can move out then. I do although understand that waiting is out can be pretty unbearable. I believe its legal to divorce your parents when your 16 but I'm not positive. So you should be fine with that. I guess technically since your grandma didn't adopt you then you might just want to talk with you dad about it, I'm pretty sure all he has to do is sign the papers, though I don't know how much it will cost you. But it seems like you have legitimate reasons so they should let you.
But you are an emancipated minor so basically you have to be able to afford your own lawyer. This will cost you big so you might just want to wait it out.
Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I wish you the best in life.
2007-08-19 05:18:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Staci you will be 18 very soon and there will be no need to divorce your parents. just tough it out. you will be an adult soon enough. & being on your own you will also find out that is is not as easy as you may think. you have to be able to fully support yourself, are you ready for all of that. Since your parents have had very little to do in your life just go your own way once your 18 you don't have to ever contact them if you don't want But I am willing to bet that this is hurting you and you really want a relationship with them. sounds to me that what you really need is some serious counceling. This will at least point you in a direction. Good luck to you.
2007-08-19 05:36:50 · answer #3 · answered by Sandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Petition your local court for emancipation rights. They will likely ask if anyone wants to be your guardian (like Grandma) but otherwise, if you have grounds like the ones you stated, then you will likely be emancipated without due cause [to stop you]. HOWEVER, you will then be liable for your own care, including paying taxes on any money you might earn...meaning, no one can claim you as a dependant. AND, on the better side, if you do not already collect social services, you will be able to as an independent individual without (a) guardian(s).
You can contact a Legal Aid office in your area. Look them up on line or in the government pages of your local phone book.
It's actually pretty easy to "divorce" your parents. You may also be entitled to collect child support from both your parents. So might your grandmother.
Call Legal Aid...they can give you a ton of info.
2007-08-19 05:14:06 · answer #4 · answered by 0000000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't divorce your parents but you can become emancipated. It's going to cost you A LOT. You have to prove that you CAN be responsible for yourself. That means you will have to PROVE to the courts that you have a job and are able to pay rent, household bills (gas, electric, phone, internet, cable, sewer, water, garbage, etc). You will be responsible for your medical bills, (you can get low cost insurance through your state in some cases) You will be responsible for purchasing your own groceries, clothing, needs.
My advise is to stay where you are until you are 18 then get a full time job and move out on your own. It will be much easier then
2007-08-19 07:42:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not possible. My daughter wanted to do that when she was about that age.. If you don't spend time with them there is no need to divorce them. You are almost 18. Why would your grandmother adopt you at that age? The only real reason to divorce your parents is to get them to stay out of your life and since they already are, there is no reason to do that. You can possibly become emancipated, depending on your state.
2007-08-19 05:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by Linda K 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to hear that...your parents are a couple of real winners, huh?
OK, it's not going to be cheap, BUT....you've gone this long, ride the storm out til you're 18, then emancipate yourself. You can check into it now, maybe the laws don't disparage over age. Probably run you in the neighborhood of $500.
Good luck....and remember, when all is said and done, be sure to thank your Grandma.
2007-08-19 05:15:01 · answer #7 · answered by imrt70 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find out what the laws are in your particular state. I'm not sure if it will just be a simple matter of legal emancipation or more. Call up lawyers and get a referral to someone who is a child's rights advocate. A lot of them do this work pro-bono (for free). My sister is a lawyer and used to do this until she got burnt out on it. You really need to do it, because there could be problems later on when you try to apply for credit or for college loans. It sounds like you have a cool head on your shoulders and will make a good case for yourself. Can you tell us what state you live in?
2007-08-19 05:12:47 · answer #8 · answered by Zelda Hunter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a very sad story, Stasi. Thank God for your Grandma. I wouldn't spend the money on anything like this, since you'll be 18 in a year. You'll only be supporting the lawyers and I'm sure you can use that money to move out at 18 and start your own life. Wait it out. All good comes to those who wait. Good luck!
2007-08-19 05:15:37 · answer #9 · answered by Funny Girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dear, I truly feel sympathy and compassion for you. I am sorry your parents abandoned you, and I am sorry your grandmother is non-committal. You deserve more...so much more.
Legally, though, you are nearly 18...divorcing your parents is a legal process that could take some time...by the time your court date comes up, you would probably be 18 and an adult and the point would be moot.
My dear, I have advice for you: find a good man and make a good family and let it be the family of your dreams. Make up in your adult life for the things you did not have as a child.
Find a good man to be married with and try to live a happy life girl. I am so sorry things went the way they did for you.
2007-08-19 05:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋