Q: Can my 16 year old go to probate and say she wants to live with me rather than her mother?
She been living primarily with her mother and her husband. The mother and husband have threatened her physically repeatedly. She does not feel safe and does not want to return there
A:
Without delay, you should call Child Protective Services at 1-800-452-1999.
Then, you should go to your local District Court and file for a Protection from Abuse Order on the teen's behalf. The filing fee is free; you can file it for free on the child's behalf. For more information, see the court's web site: https://www.courts.maine.gov/help/abuse/index.html
Then, you should find a lawyer who practices family law. If you cannot afford to pay one, you should contact Pine Tree Legal Services. You want to go for "full custody" or the teen should petition in probate court for emancipation.
Good luck!
1 user found this answer helpful
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