How Can I Move Out of My House or Become Adopted?

Question

I am 15 years old; my birthday is August 17th. I live in Arkansas.
I don't want to give away too much information about the situation at hand, but there has been physical/mental child abuse in my home for about 5 years now and many friends know about it. I saw a counselor for about a year back in 2009 (approx.) that was reported this information but did not do anything about it. Some family has also been informed of what goes on.
I have a good friend whose mother has seriously offered to adopt me and welcome me into her family, as she has done for about a year now. They are not financially well-off and I am not sure how a judge would approach their situation in comparison to my parents' standing. However, they have no criminal records, nor are they bad people. As my friend's mother says, "I may not have much, but I do my best with what I've got." She has suggested that I start recording all the fights and mental abuse from henceforth. I have begun documentation.
I will admit that I have a boyfriend who is 18 and is leaving for college soon in Wisconsin. He has said many times that if things were different he would gladly take me with him. If I were to move out or be emancipated, would that be an option?
I would rather be Emancipated from my parents (they are NOT divorced and live together) and/or move out, but I am not sure what my options are or how great of a chance that I have. I am getting my driver's license tomorrow, have a truck, have a 3.67 GPA in high school and have somewhat of a steady income from odd jobs and working at my parents' office. I have a savings account and a debit card that I have been saving for college with, but would be 100% willing dedicate to getting out of where I am.
I have warned my parents before that if things between us did not change I would be getting emancipated as soon as I turn 16. However, I am not heartless. I have not told my parents any further than my previous remark that I am currently seeking help for removal from their guidance. In their eyes and based on the ways they were raised, my parents believe they have always done the right thing. (Personally, I don't think that hitting your child, threatening them, or playing mind games with them is the right thing.) They have always just tended to throw money at me instead of fixing a wrong-doing. Two twin cousins around my age have had problems with their widowed mother as well, and suggested that I inform my parents of their "issues" and that a change must be made. How do I approach this? Do I have a chance and what are my options?

To sum up:
Emancipation, Adoption, and/or Moving Out are what I am looking for.
I will be 16 soon; what is the legal age to choose?
Would I have to live with family if I moved out?
What is the adoption process?
What is the emancipation process?
What information or evidence will a judge look at before making his final ruling on the situation?
Is it more likely that I will be put in a foster home over anything else I have brought up?
Where do I go from here?

Answer 1

Hi sweetie,

In order to be emancipated you have to be 16 and you have to prove that you can fully support yourself (place to live, food, clothing, emergency expenses) You have to prove that you can be completely self sufficient. They wouldn't consider your boyfriends income or a friends income, just yours.



The adoption process takes a long time, there are court proceedings and steps to adoption that often take a lot of time and your parents would have to go to court and give up their parental rights to you.



You can ask your parents to give your friends mom guardianship, this is the quickest way, then you can legally live with her. They would have to sign a written agreement.



If you want out and can't or don't want to involve your parents you can tell the police about the abuse and request to be put in fostercare.

Answer 2

Legally, when you turn 16 (or 17 depending on state) you can get emancipated. You'd have to go to court and have parents' permission or have a judge order it. However, you are going to need to be able to prove that you can live on your own. That means you would need a driver's license, a stable job and source of income, house, etc... Basically, emancipation means becoming an adult at 16. So, if you think you can handle all that, then you can try getting emancipated.



Your other and probably better option would be to go to a school counselor or the police, or call CPS and tell them about the abuse that is going on in your home. They will investigate - you tell them the truth and if you have evidence like pictures it will especially quicken the process. They will then try to get you help and place you in a home that is suitable and safe. Since you're 15 they will take your wishes into consideration, and if they can find a relative or good friend you can live with, they will try to place you there. A foster home is a last resort. So tell them you want to live with that friend you talked about and they will look into it, especially if there is no family member to take you in.



You are more likely to be put in a relative/friend's home rather than a foster home, given that those are options. They would only put someone in a foster home if they couldn't find a suitable relative's or friend's home to place the child in, and they had no where else to go. Given your circumstances, I think it would be more likely you'd be placed in a the friend's home rather than a foster/group home. I think after a while they can try to adopt you but I don't know the whole process about that.



I can't really answer all your other questions and I don't know a ton about the things I have said. All I can say is DON'T run away and don't go live with your friend without first telling someone because that could get you and them in trouble if your mom reports you as a run-away. The most important thing now is to contact someone as soon as possible and tell them about the abuse so you can get out of your home, and if you tell the truth and speak your mind I'm sure everything will be fine. Remember, CPS and the judge are on YOUR side and only want you to be safe. Good luck

Answer 3

I think the advice is that when you move a cat to a new home you keep them indoors for about six weeks. This way they really get to know their new territory and know that this is where to come home to when you do let them out after the six weeks. So you'll need a litter tray during this time. Cats are generally quite clean so training him shouldn't be hard, just make sure you pick him up and put him in the tray at first so he can have a feel of the litter, he'll probably be happy to go there coz he can have a good scratch and cover it up. As for making him more friendly with strangers I can't help there, that might just be his personality. If he doesn't like new people don't force it, just let him go off to another room for alone time

Answer 4

Go to the police, report them yourselves. And if they send u home or something. Refuse:) that's how I got out the house when I was 11, I'm 13 now, living the good life:D( mine was physical sexual and emotional )

Answer 5

emancipation will be the second option the judge will choose. the first will be family.. but you can fight for emancipation if you can prove your capable of providing for yourself and you are mature enough to