Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

i am 17 years old, living in reading, ma, and i want to move out of my house. i will be 18 in 3 months and 13 days. i fight constantly with my parents, and while i know it is normal to fight with them, it is much more frequent than is normal. i have a few options of places to stay currently, i have a steady, well paying job, and i already pay many of my own bills, including my phone bill, cat's vet bills, etc. i have plenty of money saved in the bank. i know a girl in town who moved out before she was 18 even though her parents didn't want her to, and i am wondering how possible that would be for me to do as well. i can not stay here any more, the emotional stress is too much to handle. i am a good student with straight a's and on track to graduate with my class, but i have seen a therapist who suggested to my mother that i be medicated for a couple different attention and anxiety disorders, and yet she refuses, even though she has my brother on medication for similar issues. i don't see any way i can stay here any longer. we have tried counseling, therapy, and many other ideas to try and get my family back on track, but nothing is working and i don't think i can stay here until i turn 18. advice?


Asked on 11/11/10, 7:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

You can file a Petition for emancipation. However, it is not likely to get resolved in less than the time period until you are 18 years of age.

Likewise, once you turn 18 or are emancipated your parents will have no financial obligation to you at all. This means you would have to get your own health insurance and be responsible for all your own bills.

I assume there is local relative you can seek help from, so I would suggest you also speak to your highschool counselor for suggestions, if they are responsible and trustworthy. You could also ask the therapist for alternative solutions. Assuming you have tried all this to no avail, then....

There are groups that help kids with the legal and emotional issues you are confronting and I would suggest you contact one. I do not recall the name but I believe there is a group in Cambrige, MA.

Good Luck

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Answered on 11/16/10, 8:07 am


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