What all do I need to be emancipated in Arkansas?

Question

am 17 years old and I live in Arkansas. Im in Foster care also, and I'm pregnant, so I know it would be best for me to be emancipated. I have a good job.. I have plenty of money, and I want to get married before the baby come so yeah I have til December to get everything done for emancipation before court day!

Answer 1

I was emancipated myself- in Texas- and it's a lot harder than you think. No judge wants to take responsibility for setting a minor free if something happens to go wrong- especially with another child on the way. To be emancipated, first of all, you're going to need your foster parents to speak up for you and testify that you are mature enough to handle living on your own. Are they willing to do this? Probably not. And the fact that you have gotten yourself pregnant at your age really does not speak well for you- In an adult or judge's eyes, it shows you are immature, irresponsible, and do not think about the consequences of your actions- i.e. having unprotected s*x. Furthermore, you may have a job now, but that means nothing. Jobs can come and go. Don't plan on being granted emancipation unless you've got a job AND about 50 grand in the bank as backup to support yourself until you turn 18 if you happen to lose your job.. Have you even graduated from high school yet? If not, it's unlikely that a judge would see you as having the appropriate skills and qualifications to earn a living. Furthermore, since you only have a few months until your 18th birthday, no judge is going to see emancipating you for only a few months as worth the potential risk. Remember, judges are elected officials, if something goes wrong its their a** thats on the line...and right now you are not making a very good case for yourself. Sorry, but its the truth.

Answer 2

Get paperwork to prove that you are in the financial condition you say you are and can support yourself and file for emancipation in the family court system. The judge will decide. Easy as that.

Btw....if you're in foster care, you're case worker will have all of this info and can guide you through the process.