questions & answers

Question: My dad left when i was baby. He just came back into my life a year ago, my mom has custody of me. But this past year i have been emointally abused and have had a few situatons with being physically abused as well. This is causing my school work to drop, and i cant take living here anymore. I have tried to find a way to live with my dad until i graduate, but i would like to know if there is any legal way i can move out, so I can get my life together and finish school without any problems.

Answer: If you are in any physical danger, you should call 911.  Not knowing how old you are, you may be eligible for emancipation if you meet the criteria here:  
•You are at least 16 years old BUT less than 18. Note that this court process will generally take about 3 months, so if you are 17 and nine months or older, you may turn 18 and emancipate automatically before this process is completed, AND
•You are not legally married, AND
•You are a resident of Arizona and of the county where you are filing this request, AND
•You are financially self-sufficient, that is, you can prove you are able to support yourself and provide your own food, housing, and medical care, etc., without parental assistance, and you want to be declared legally "an Adult", responsible for your own support, AND
•You understand emancipation will release your parents from any further legal obligation to provide you with food, housing, medical care (or insurance), AND
•You have read and understand the "Information on Emancipation in Arizona" packet, AND
•You understand the Court will give notice of this request to your parent(s) if their parental rights have not been terminated by Court Order and to any legal guardian(s).

To apply go to: http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/Self-ServiceCenter/Forms/JuvenileCases/jg_je1.asp

If you are under the age of 16, you may want to talk with a school counselor or someone you trust as to how to talk with your mom and dad about custody and how you can seek permission to have custody granted to your dad.  You may need to speak with an attorney.