So You Want to "Divorce" Your Parents--A Minor's Guide to Emancipation in California

Are your parents unreasonable? Perhaps they are abusive. Maybe they are emotional, illogical wreaks and you just want them to get out of your life. Perhaps they squander your money. Maybe they interfere with your physical, emotional, mental, financial stability. Emancipation may be for you.

Firstly, what does it mean to become "emancipated?" Well, it's a legal way for minors to become adults before they reach the age of majority, which in California is 18. If you become emancipated, your parents cease to have custody and control of you. You can do things like get medical care, apply for a work permit, sign up for school or college, and live where you want to without your parents' permission. Amazing, I know.

So, reader, you must be itching with desire to know how to become emancipated. In California, there are three ways to achieve emancipation.

The first way is to get married. In California, in order to get married under the age of 18, you need permission from your parents and the courts.

The second way to become emancipated is to join the armed forces. There are two prerequisites for this option. You first need permission from your parents. The armed forces must also accept you.

The third and last way to become emancipated is to get a declaration from a judge. In order to get a declaration, you must prove the following: (1) you are at least 14 years old (2) you don't want to live with your parents and your parents don't have an objection (3) you must show fiscal responsibility (4) you can financially and legally support yourself (5) you must show that emancipation would be beneficial for you.

This how-to guide provides instructions for the third option.

You first need to fill out your "Petition for Declaration of Emancipation of Minor, Order Prescribing Notice, Declaration of Emancipation, and Order Denying Petition [form MC-300]." This form is just a formal confirmation of the 4 requirements I outlined above.