Legal Question in Juvenile Dependency in Nebraska

Re: Moving-Out

The only way you could leave your Mother's control without her permission would be if her rights were taken away by a guardianship, or the juvenile court for abuse or neglect, or if your custody were granted to someone else by a district court.

Generally this doesn't happen unless the parent has serious problems. A biological parent has superior rights to custody of their children over anyone else in the world, except the other parent, or unless they give up those rights voluntarily or by neglecting or abusing the children.

I'm sure it feels very unfair for your Mom to make you babysit your little brother this summer. But what feels like unpaid labor to you, a judge might consider a fair share of family responsibility for someone so close to being ready to live on their own as an adult.

Since you're stuck with your Mom, I suggest you talk with her about why you want to move. Do you really want to move, or do you want her to change some things in your family? Take a minute to try to understand why your Mom makes the decisions she makes. Think about her responsibilities and problems from her point of view and try to be fair to her. Then tell her what you understand about her decisions, and ask her if what you think are her reasons are the same as what she thinks.

Then ask her to put herself in your position. What does she think you want and why. What would she want if she were in your shoes? After you've done this it might be easier for you to work out some solutions you both can live with. You can even get an adult to help you have this talk with your mom. See if one of your grandparents will help, or someone else your mom knows and trusts and who knows you and can be fair.

Otherwise, you'll have to tough it out, and both of you won't be very happy. Good luck.