If I am 16 years old and I have close friend whose parents are willing to take me in, can I legally move out?
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If I am 16 years old and I have close friend whose parents are willing to take me in, can I legally move out?
I now live with my mother and her boyfriend after moving out of my father’s because his wife was verbally and emotionally abusing me. Since I moved in with my mother her boyfriend has, well I guess you could say “had it out for me”. He’s does not treat the same as the children he has with my mother. He screams at me and tell me I’m worthless almost daily. I try very hard to do my best in school and I do what I’m told. But often I am wrongfully punished for trying my best and failing. Now with all do respect for my mother but she just sits there and let’s it happen. In MI.
Asked on January 7, 2012 under Family Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
First let me tell you: you are NOT worthless. Even though I am a total stranger I can tell you that the courage that I see to have survived and continue to survive in the "family" situations that you have tells me that you are stronger than you realize. And finding this site and writing this question tells me that you are smart and intuitive because you know how to help yourself at such a young age - you have already figured out a plan and you only need confirmation from some one that it can indeed be put in to place - and you are willing to do what it takes to get through. Now, you have a good friend with good parents. I think that you may realize that your mother's boyfriend is abusive all around to every one and that your mother may be powerless on some level to fight any battles for fear herself. You are still a minor so you need parental permission to leave or a court order allowing it. So you can try two things: you can ask your Mother for permission to leave (you may have to ask your dad too) and ask them to sign over temporary guardianship to your friend's parents. Make sure that the parents are okay with it. If your parents will not then ask your friend's parents if they would be willing to apply for temporary guardianship based upon the abusive and harmful environment that you are in. If they can not find a family member that you trust and let them know about the situation too. And confide in your school counselor if all else fails. Good luck. Stay strong. You will be okay.
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