How can I get legally emancipated?

Question

How can I get legally emancipated?

I am fifteen years of age, living in the State of California.

I live with my girlfriend who is seventeen, eighteen in December.

I have lived with her and her parents for well over six months.

My mother lives in Nevada with her husband and my father is living with a few friends along with my brother, working under the table (construction and landscaping)

I haven't lived with either guardian for a long period of time, make great money using Craigslist (buying, selling and trading) since I cannot legally have a job yet. I've made well over four to five thousand dollars. I haven't been in school for awhile but I am trying to get back in on my own.

My girlfriends parents suggested that I get emancipated, that way I can get a job and make better money. My girlfriend wants to move out when she is 18 and take me with her, but I don't want her to get in trouble for kidnapping or something, neither do I.

What can I do, what are the steps, what do I need? Thanks!

Answer 1

Your question is reproduced here to preserve the original fact pattern to which this answer applies:

How can I get legally emancipated?

How can I get legally emancipated?

I am fifteen years of age, living in the State of California.

I live with my girlfriend who is seventeen, eighteen in December.

I have lived with her and her parents for well over six months.

My mother lives in Nevada with her husband and my father is living with a few friends along with my brother, working under the table (construction and landscaping).

I haven't lived with either guardian for a long period of time, make great money using Craigslist (buying, selling and trading) since I cannot legally have a job yet. I've made well over four to five thousand dollars. I haven't been in school for awhile but I am trying to get back in on my own.

My girlfriends parents suggested that I get emancipated, that way I can get a job and make better money. My girlfriend wants to move out when she is 18 and take me with her, but I don't want her to get in trouble for kidnapping or something, neither do I.

What can I do, what are the steps, what do I need? Thanks!

There are no quick answers to your questions.

Becoming emancipated is a legal process through a family court, so for the best information I'd suggest you go the California Courts' Self-Help section referenced below:

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/fam...

Specifically, if you are looking for the steps to emancipation, go here:

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/fam...

You should note that just because you are emancipated doesn't mean that you aren't still required to attend school and doesn't mean that you are then an "adult."  The biggest difference is that you don't need a parent's permission for many decisions about your own life.

Although you didn't ask, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders and might benefit from some advice (that seems to agree with where you say you're headed too):  

Go back to school.  

Maybe you can do your Craigslist thing on the side at the same time.  But why turn down the free education you can get from a California public school?  And why limit your future prospects?  Do it now while you're still so young and you'll be glad you did later on.  Really.

[This is not legal advice. You should consult a licensed attorney-at-law for legal advice or representation before making decisions that may affect your legal rights.]