If you are planning on leaving your parents' house to never return what paperwork would you need?

We both know there is a little more to this story, but not a lot of room on this board to go into detail.

If your parents have not physically or mentally abused you (I mean very bad mental abuse and I don't mean just giving you some chores around the house or rules of the house to be followed) I would suggest you go for a nice long walk and think this out.

If they have asked you to be responsible for your room, when to be home, to study before you go out, get angry if you should or could try street drugs or drink too much at times (not accusing you here) and generally have a set lot of rules in their house this is not abuse, but love. They are teaching you to become independent and know that once you are out in the real world there are all sorts of rules, regulations and laws to follow. They want you to have every chance you can get and that includes education and the type of people you may choose to hang around with. It may seem like you think you have everything under control, but you're young, and it won't be awhile until you really see the ramifications of how much you can hurt your parents by walking out that door and basically divorcing them.

There are only a very few reasons for you to really need to leave the house:

Sexual abuse Mental abuse (calling you stupid, ugly duckling, and you just can't cut it) Physical abuse (hitting, slapping, kicking, punching) One or both parents into drugs One or both parents who are alcoholics

If your parents are none of the above, then you have no reason to leave that house. If you think it's a great adventure out there are the streets then I would have to agree, but it can be one ugly scene most of the time and there are much wiser and dangerous people out there waiting for "fresh meat" (as they so love to call it) to get you into all sorts of trouble. If you think you are any different than thousands of other kids out there you are wrong! You could stay at a friends for a short time, but trust me when I say that never lasts and the friend will get fed up of having you hanging around.

Although you are obviously angry over something right now please think of this: If you leave that house and never look back, and one or both of your parents dies, you just can't go back and "fix it." It is important for you to know that even if your parents yell or scream and argue with you, you are no better, and so the war begins. They are worried, scared for you and want the best life can give you, so when you leave that house they don't stop caring and will worry themselves sick over you. You may say "good" now, but if one or both should pass away you have one heavy load of guilt on your shoulders for the rest of your life. The psychiatrists are going to love you!

If you think you have all the answers to life and that you are so independent and mature, then act like it. Sit down with your parents and without yelling or screaming express what is in your heart and try to come to some middle ground where all of you can get along.

If you are a minor and still want to leave the house then go to Child Welfare and they would love to help you out in court so the judge can deem you a "Ward of the Court" and place you in Foster Care. While there are some wonderful families out there that take in kids, there are some that aren't nice people at all and just want to collect the Child Welfare money. You could fall through the cracks of the justice system ... meaning ... you lose!

If you are of age, you can walk right out that door and never look back, but I truly hope you take time out to cool off and think about what I have said.

Legal emancipation requires that the minor file a petition in the court of venue, (usually probate) along with necessary documentation to prove you are capable of caring for themselves without adult involvement. Keep in mind that seeking legal emancipation can often be expensive and complex. It is highly unlikely that a court would grant early emancipation rights to someone under the age of sixteen, regardless of the state in which you reside. If you have a relative or an adult who would be willing to apply for legal guardianship, that would be your best option at this time. You might also wish to consider contacting DFS or social services in your area for assistance (although I realize this is not a preference in most cases).

The things you would need are as follows:

Social security card

Birth certificate

State ID or Permit

Working papers (if your state requires them)

Bank account (essential to being independent)