I’m 16, divorced parents, but I don’t want to live with either. If a friend of mine has an open bed in his house and offered to take me in, could I live there without any legal issues? If not, is there any way I could leave home other than emancipation? Edit: His parents offered to take me in if possible.
Legally, that’s not how it works. A judge may take which PARENT you want to live with into consideration when deciding custody, but there’s no 3rd option. Why don’t you want to live with either of your parents?
Do your parents consent or object to this proposed living arrangement? Does either parent pay child support to the other? Does either parent receive Medicaid/TANF/SNAP benefits on your behalf?
I think you might need your parents’ permission to stay with your friend legally. Have you thought about talking to them about your feelings?
If you want to avoid emancipation, maybe consider talking to a trusted adult about your situation. They might help you negotiate with your parents or find a solution.
Just keep in mind that moving out without permission could lead to more legal issues. It’s tough to navigate custody stuff.