Marion, IL asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Illinois

Q: I'm 16 and live in illinois. I want to be emancipated from my parents. How do I do that? My home is unsafe to live i

My house is in awful condition. Its unfit and unsafe to live here. My parents wobt consent to my emancipation and may become violent. I have people that would let me live with them. I dont know what to do.

1 Lawyer Answer
James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Rochelle, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: It's not easy. To learn how it is done, go to this website: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp

On the window that opens, click on Chapter 750 FAMILIES.

On the next window that opens, click on 750 ILCS 30/ Emancipation of Minors Act.

Pay particular attention to Section 4 which requires that a petition be filed in court "on behalf of the minor by his next friend, parent or guardian." In other words, you are unlikely to be able to file a petition yourself.

If things are as desperate as you indicate, consider reporting the situation to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Ask if you can report your own home situation anonymously (meaning your folks won't find out you made the call) and let them take it from there. Their 24-hour abuse hotline is 800-252-2873, which their website indicates should be called "if you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect." Good luck. I'll be praying for you.

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