emancipation/no emancipation?

[wayupthere]

I am a 16 year-old girl in Oregon. I am currently living with my mom and dad; my mother plans on moving out as soon as she can find a job where she'll be financially stable (which may not be for another year or so). My father has mentally/emotionally/verbally abused her, and although I am living in his household, he has pretty much neglected me. I have a group of girls I can move in with this summer if I choose to, and I've discussed it with my mother--it's fine with her. My father wouldn't care altogether. I don't feel that I should hesitate; I refuse to live with my father, and I fear my mother won't be able to support her, my brother AND me. If I worked full-time, I could easily afford living with the group of girls. My question is: can I move out and live on my own without that being "illegal"? Do I have to get emancipated? I would appreciate any advice/answers. Thank you.

 

[cbg]

If your mother has given you permission to move in with your friends, that's all you need.

 

[seniorjudge]

Get a full-time job before you move...that will help prove you can be emancipated (which is a fancy legal word for paying all of your own bills).

Good luck.

 

[wayupthere]

Thank you for the advice. I would have to work full-time in order to move out and support myself. I'm still wondering though: how does an emancipation benefit a minor? Could anyone go a little more in-depth with that? I'd appreciate it...thanks.

 

[seniorjudge]

...I'm still wondering though: how does an emancipation benefit a minor?...

No benefits that I know of. You're thrust into a cold and uncaring world and must make your way as best you know how, even if it means selling matchsticks on a snowy corner on Christmas.

Well...okay...there is ONE benefit: you can start your own business and make a million dollars.

 

[cbg]

Don't look at me. I've never been of the opinion that emancipation benefits a minor in about 9,999 cases out of 10,000. I've never been able to understand why so many teens are bound and determined to be emancipated one minute before the law does it for them.

Well, actually, I do understand it - it's because they don't understand what emancipation means.

In your case, you don't need emancipation. You've got parental permission to be on your own but you still have their support as a backup if you need it - something you lose if you're legally emancipated.

 

[wayupthere]

Many thanks to all of you for your input.