Things To Consider When You Are Thinking About Emancipation
Families are often thought of as the building blocks of society, but not every home is a happy one. Some teenagers find themselves in situations where they might be better off living apart from their family. In certain situations, taking legal action to make the separation permanent may be required. This separation is completed by filing for emancipation.
If you are thinking about emancipation, there are some important factors you should consider prior to legally filing a petition with the court.
1. Consider the possibility of future reconciliation.
Because emancipation is a legal process that typically can't be undone, it's important that you are sure you want to legally separate from your family for good. Some family problems can seem insurmountable, but they are actually temporary in nature.
Your parents might feel hurt or angry if you proceed with an emancipation petition, and these feelings could make it challenging to reconcile in the future. Be sure that you have given the possibility of future reconciliation careful thought before filing for emancipation.
2. Determine how you will support yourself.
Once your emancipation petition is finalized, you will be legally responsible for yourself. While this might give you reprieve from a bad family situation, it also means that you will be responsible for your own actions and treated as an adult in the eyes of the law.
You will be responsible for securing your own housing, and for paying for your living expenses. It's important that you determine how you will support yourself before filing for emancipation so that you can decide if filing an emancipation petition makes sense.
3. Find out if you are a viable candidate.
Since emancipation is a serious legal action, it's not something that courts take lightly. It can be helpful to schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney if you are considering emancipation.
An attorney will be able to help you evaluate your current situation to determine if you are a viable candidate for emancipation. If you don't currently meet the legal requirements to file for emancipation but you feel it is in your best interest to proceed, an attorney will be able to advise you on the actions you need to take to make yourself a viable candidate.
Emancipation can be a useful tool in certain situations. Careful consideration is required before making a decision to permanently separate from your family, and having the expertise of an experienced family law attorney to guide you can be beneficial.
