I’m in DCF care and I turn 16 years in July. I don’t want to be in foster care for three years. They plan on taking my mom’s rights away. My dad is in prison and I really don’t want my sister to be in foster care for eight years. I want to get custody of my sister eventually. I know how hard it is to be emancipated. I know it’s hard to live on my own and take care of myself having a job and school, but I know if I work really hard, then I can do it. How do I go about getting emancipated?
Florida statutory law defines children as minors until they reach the age of 18. In some situations, however, it is recognized that minors may become legally emancipated, i.e. treated as legal adults, either for certain purposes or for all purposes. A minor child 16 years or older may petition the court through a parent, legal guardian, or guardian ad litem to become legally emancipated for all purposes. If the court finds that the minor child is financially independent of the parents, emancipation will likely be granted. Emancipation immediately relieves the parents from all support obligations for the minor child. Since you are in foster care as of now, you most likely will need to prove to the court that you are capable of providing for yourself and your sister before you become emancipated and apply for custody of your sister.
