Emancipation at 17 (MI)

[Esha_011]

Well I am 17 years old and plan to graduate May 2011. I have a loving family but I am not happy with living with them. My aunt currently is seeking legal custody of me but I would like to get emancipated right after graduation. I would like to move to GA with my boyfriend and go to college but my aunt is forcing me to stay home and go to a community college until i turn 18 which isn't until Nov 2011. Is there anything I can do ?

 

[CdwJava]

If your aunt is SEEKING custody of you, I can only assume that your parents still have legal custody. Correct?

If so, what do THEY say about you moving off to school out of state?

Emancipation is rare and not generally granted unless one can show some extreme maturity and the ability to support one's self without the aid of others or government assistance.

Here is what MI appears to require:

• Parents or guardian do not object or if they do object they are not providing support to the minor.
  
• The minor is at least 16 years old.
  
• The minor is a resident of Michigan and that particular county.
  
• The minor can manage his/her own finances and has either employment or means of support other than Public Assistance such as Food Stamps, TANF, State Disability.
  
• The minor has the ability to handle personal and social affairs (including proof of housing).
  
• The minor understands his/her rights and responsibilities under this law. (The minor must read the emancipation law and understand it.)

Do you meet these qualifications?

 

[Esha_011]

Actually I haven't lived with my parents since I was 7. I just moved back in with my aunt this past oct, I was in GA with my grandparents and I know they had temp custody which must be renewed each year so I believe nonone has legal custody of me at this point. I do have support from my boyfriend and his family down in GA which I can live with and I was working at mCdonald before I came to MI and the store Manager guranteed that I have my job when I come back...is that food enough ?

 

[cbg]

One thing I can promise you, and that is that no state is going to emancipate a teen so that she can go live with her boyfriend. That's just not going to happen, so forget that option right now. That dog just won't hunt.

 

[CdwJava]

SOMEBODY has legal custody of you. If it has been the grandparents, then it is them. If they are passing you off to the aunt, then it is or will be her.

And as cbg stated, no court will emancipate you to go off and live with the boyfriend. You may have to stay put where you are unless no one cares if you run off to play house ... and go to college (assuming someone can pay your tuition).