How to Be Emancipated
Emancipation refers to the act of legally cutting yourself off from your parents -- what some call "divorcing" your parents -- and declaring yourself an adult before the age of 18. Emancipation is rare, but is certainly possible in extenuating circumstances. If both of your parents are physically abusive, stealing money from you or are causing harm to your mental well-being, emancipation may be a way to end the suffering and get out of their grasp.
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Instructions
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Learn the requirements for emancipation. While the conditions for emancipation can vary from state to state, in general, you must be at least 15 and capable of financially supporting yourself.
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Determine the reasons for filing. Deciding that you don't like your parents or that their rules are unfair is not enough to be legally emancipated. There must be actual and factual reasons to support your request to be declared an adult. Only a limited amount of situations will meet the criteria, including abuse, theft, parenthood or military service.
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Seek the help of an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, you can try to get help from Legal Aid in your state. You can also try to set up a free consultation with a family law attorney to see if he can offer you any advice.
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Visit your family courthouse to pick up the documents to apply for emancipation. When you visit the courthouse, ask for the clerk of the court; he will be able to provide you with a blank form that you must fill out. You will need to include your personal information, your parents' information and a detailed summary of why you need to be emancipated from your parents. The clerk of the court cannot help you fill out this form; it is something that you must either do alone or hire an attorney to help you with.
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File your paperwork with the same court. You will also need to pay a filing fee, which can cost anywhere between $50 to $150 depending on your state and the court. Once your application has been accepted for filing, you will receive a date that you must again return to the courthouse for a hearing. The hearing is where you will face a judge and explain the reasons why you need to be emancipated from your parents.
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Come to the courthouse a little earlier than the time your hearing is schedule. You should dress appropriately, which means a suit or a skirt with a nice blouse. Bring a copy of the forms you filed with the courthouse previously and any documents you have as evidence of the things you are accusing your parents of. You will also need to prove that you have a regular source of income.
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