Can I choose to live with a family NOT RELATED TO ME?

[bubble24xox]

I've been having A LOT of family problems with my mom, my 8 year old half-sister (We have different dads so we live w/our mom), and my mom's boyfriend in the past few years. All of my friends at school know what's going on, and my #1 best friend knows the most. He tells his mom and dad EVERYTHING all the time, and apparently his dad said that we could call someone and make it so that I can live with them. They're like family, and my best friend is more like a little brother to me more than anything. Is it possible for that to really happen? My sister and I live in an apartment, we're almost never hungry, we've got good clothes, and we go to a really good school district here in upstate New York. So technically my mom believes she's doing everything good as a parent in the eyes of the law, but there are A LOT of emotional problems we've all been having since my grandmother died two years ago. Then my sister and I started to do bad in school, and mom has been going so insane during this grieving process, that she actually went to mourning classes or something for two weeks at an insane asylum! And even more problems keep occuring, to the point that she smacks me or my sister once in awhile out of frustration. I don't know if I can last two to three more years before I leave to join the adult world without going insane. Is there ANY POSSIBLE WAY that I can legally leave this house and go live with my friends family, so they can just foster me until I grow up? My best friend and I are both 15, but I'm actually about to turn 16 in three months. His parents are willing to take me in. What can I do? PLEASE PLEASE HELP! Thank you so very much!!!!

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that once you are 16 years of age, you can seek court ordered emancipation. For emancipation, you must have your own job as your main source of income. You must not be in foster care or under court ordered supervision. Before granting emancipation, the court will consider all the facts and decide the matter keeping the best interests of the child in view. However, you cannot go and live with your friend's family without the permission of your parents until you are a minor. Alternatively, you will be considered emancipated if you join the military.

AFF

[Friend In Court]

Originally Posted by bubble24xox I've been having A LOT of family problems with my mom, my 8 year old half-sister (We have different dads so we live w/our mom), and my mom's boyfriend in the past few years. All of my friends at school know what's going on, and my #1 best friend knows the most. He tells his mom and dad EVERYTHING all the time, and apparently his dad said that we could call someone and make it so that I can live with them. They're like family, and my best friend is more like a little brother to me more than anything. Is it possible for that to really happen? My sister and I live in an apartment, we're almost never hungry, we've got good clothes, and we go to a really good school district here in upstate New York. So technically my mom believes she's doing everything good as a parent in the eyes of the law, but there are A LOT of emotional problems we've all been having since my grandmother died two years ago. Then my sister and I started to do bad in school, and mom has been going so insane during this grieving process, that she actually went to mourning classes or something for two weeks at an insane asylum! And even more problems keep occuring, to the point that she smacks me or my sister once in awhile out of frustration. I don't know if I can last two to three more years before I leave to join the adult world without going insane. Is there ANY POSSIBLE WAY that I can legally leave this house and go live with my friends family, so they can just foster me until I grow up? My best friend and I are both 15, but I'm actually about to turn 16 in three months. His parents are willing to take me in. What can I do? PLEASE PLEASE HELP! Thank you so very much!!!!

The first thing you need to do is have a heart to heart talk with your mother and let her know the impact living together has on you. Since she has sought professional help for her own problems, she well may be open to the suggestion of counseling together. That would be my first option.

Unless she agrees for you to live elsewhere, going to court and lodging a custody battle will be very expensive for both sides. It is not unusual for the cost to exceed $20,000 for each side.

At 16, you cannot initiate any legal proceedings. One must be 18 or older.

IF you and your mother cannot agree upon family counseling, then you may approach Child Protective Services and through their auspices they may be able to place you in an agreeable situation, like with your friend's parents.