Moving out with friends, Emancipation question, pelase help.

So by the end of this summer, me and 3 friends (ages 16, 16, and 19) are moving to East Lansing. We are getting an apartment, very nice one too. We will all be working and splitting the rent cost. I will be going to school still down there. I was wondering if I have to get emancipated in order for it to work? My parents wont be around, and since Im going to school there and shit, it would make sense to get emancipated right?

Also, I was wondering how big of a process it is, do I absolutley need an attourney (my mom was saying I did for some reason), and it shouldnt be that hard to get accepted for emancipation if your parents are OK with it, right? Any help would be greatful, thanks

 

i dunno, but you're a lucky bastard.

 

You dont gotta be lucky to do something like what I am. It just takes independancy and a little in gas money.

 

Emancipation isn't all that easy. Be careful. I know a guy whose parents were fine with him getting emancipated so when he went to the State with it, we all thought it would be all well and good. Wrong. They wanted to send him to foster care because his parents were "abandoning" him. You also have to proove that you have good living conditions (they might check.. really depends), that you will stay in school and have good grades, and you have a stable income. Typically you also need to have a really good reason to be emancipated. It's different everywhere you go.

Good luck.

 

What the hell happened to Michigan?

And what exactly is "emancipation"?

(I mean, it's like freedom of course - like what the slaves in the deep south got after the Civil War)
but you make it sound like acquiring a driver's license.

Back when I was your age, there was no legal process involved at all.
In fact - check it out - anyone old enough to have participated in Woodstock Nation (1969)..............there were hundreds of thousands of us your age, out on our own.
It's commendable that you'll be working and paying the bills and attending school, keeping up with your education.
This is all about independence and life skills.

I work in a large university - it's incredible how many 20-somethings who attend classes there still live at home with their parents. In fact - this has now become the norm.
What really bothers me about this is that they have accepted en masse changes in social and economic conditions - that convince them they are better off living at home.
It's like they have no deep desire to be on their own (none that they display, anyway.)

I suppose in places like India, China, Japan, and other extremely conservative nations this would be considered as normal. A son leaves his mother only for a wife. A daughter leaves her father only for a husband. There is absolutely no time in their life when they are just a simple free agent - a free spirit - free to make any important choice in their life completely independently.
My response is - what the hell!

One of the beautiful things created in this nation long ago was the strength of independent youth. When young people weren't lorded over by their elders and "betters" - amazing things happened.

The true power structure in our society is entirely set up and run by - old people.
Let's not kid around - they're old, man.
The way it works - is that most adults will not challenge this power structure because they have too much to lose. That's fine. There are exceptions to the rule, but by and large that's the way it is.

Young people are supposed to rock the boat. Who the hell else will? If they don't, we just become a nation of snaily slugs, complacent, smug, self-satisfied, soft, pampered....conformed automatons toeing the line.
Hey - this doesn't mean doing stupid things - drunk driving, substance abuse, criminal and totally irresonsible anti-social and destructive activity.
(although in some circles the entire notion of a young person leaving home and striking out on their own would be considered as such.)

My point entirely is - if youth is not entered into some kind of freedom of choice, gradually and consistently while acquiring education....then just where and how do they acquire life skills, maturity, and any semblance of wisdom?
-cause it don't come outa a crackerjack box, dude!

But you must kinda know that a little bit, now. That's cool.

I did exactly what you're setting out to do, and at exactly the same age - only difference was that I was mostly on my own for the first couple of years.
Sure times were different.
But freedom ain't a commodity that's corporatized.
It always has a price. Remember that.
Which is good - because it will make you value what you got.

Just one big piece of advice I'll offer:
As a boomer gypsy - I bought into the whole generational gap "don't trust anyone over 30" routine.
Don't you believe it.
Whoever it is - someone, anyone (who is trustworthy, of course) who has some true wisdom, experience, perspective...good solid help to offer.....is an important resource.
It can be a crapshoot - there's a lot of predators out there.
But the worst thing that can happen is to be isolated with your own trouble -
To quote one of my favorite songwriters:

"He was starving in some deep mystery
like a man who is sure what is true"

There are still tons of older people out there, who are more than willing to help younger people achieve their place in society. Be careful. Choose wisely.
And good luck in this adventure.
For it is, indeed - an adventure.
Be cool .

later -

 

Cool thanks for your response man

 

Never speak of it - glad to pitch in.
I've been around long enough to raise 5 like you
(learned a thing or two along the way)

Really - best of luck to you...
a 15th summer can be something real special (as I recall)
be good
remember what the Dormouse said............


later-


jp

 

Hmmmm...well...I live in Michigan and a girl I went to school with got emancipated and it was a HUGE ordeal.

You definitely have to show a reasonable cause and you have to prove you can take care of yourself also...I'm sure you will have to talk to a social worker about this...and probably a lawyer too...