Is your family abusive, destructive, or unkind? The decision to disown your family is not an easy one to make, but in some cases breaking the relationship is the best way to let go of a painful past and protect yourself, your children and your wealth from future harm. Depending on your age and situation, you may be able to take legal action to stay away from your family. Read on for more information.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Disowning Your Family as a Minor
Step 1. Consider calling Child Protective Services
If you are under 18 and you think you live in a dangerous situation, contact Child Protective Services in your country for assistance. The most important first step is to find a safe place. Once you've left your household, CPS will help determine how your family can't hurt you.
- If you are unsure about contacting CPS, talk to a trusted adult such as a teacher, school counselor or a friend's parent about your options.
- Understand that when you reach the age of 18, your parents no longer have the legal right to make decisions for you. Maybe you didn't get along with your parents, but did they put you in real danger? Otherwise, your best bet is to wait. When you reach 18, you can live your life the way you want.
Step 2. Decide whether to seek emancipation
If you are a teenager, a legitimate way to disown your family is to be "emancipated" from them. This means you will be treated like a legal adult with the right to make your own decisions and your parents will no longer be your legal guardians. In most countries, you have to be past the age of 16 to be emancipated. This may be the right choice for you if the following are true:
- Your parents used violence.
- Your parents can't take care of you.
- The situation in your parents' home is morally unacceptable to you.
- You are financially independent and want to have rights as an adult.
Step 3. Become financially independent
A judge will not grant emancipation unless you can prove you can live independently of your parents like any other adult. This means being able to find money to pay for housing, food, medical bills, and all other expenses. Once you are emancipated, your parents will no longer be legally responsible for paying for basic necessities.
- Start by looking for work as soon as possible. Save as much as possible; make sure you don't spend money on things you don't really need.
- Move out of your family home and move into your own apartment. You also have the option of living with a friend or relative, as long as that person agrees to this plan on a permanent basis.
Step 4. Get parental consent
The emancipation process will be much easier if your parents agree that they don't want to be legally responsible for you. If they do not agree to grant emancipation, the burden will fall on you to prove they are not fit to be parents.
Step 5. Submit the proper files
You will need to complete an emancipation application, which you can obtain by contacting the Court of your jurisdiction. You will also need to fill out files regarding financial status, employment status and living conditions.
If possible, consider getting legal help filling out the files. An attorney familiar with the applicable laws in your country can help guide you through this process to make sure everything is filled out correctly. Look for ways to hire a lawyer when you have a low income
Step 6. Attend preliminary meetings and court hearings
Once you have submitted your application and other files to the Court, you will receive a date for the initial meeting that you and your family will attend. Conditions will be assessed and if your parents do not approve of this emancipation, you will need to attend a court hearing to prove they are not fit to be parents.
- An investigation into your home situation may be carried out after the initial meeting.
- If you manage to prove you can and should live as an adult, you will be free to cut all ties to your parents and family members – successfully disowning them.
Method 2 of 2: Not Recognizing Your Family as an Adult
Step 1. Put some distance between you and your family
If you are experiencing physical abuse or feel like you are falling into a bad situation, the most important step is to find a safe place where your family can't hurt you. If you are past the age of 18, your parents and family have no legal right to determine where you should live.
If you are not financially independent, determine if you can live with friends or family until you become independent
Step 2. Disconnect
Once you become an adult, "disowning" your family basically means ending all ties to them. Stop calling your family and stop picking up their phone. The same goes for email and other forms of communication. Don't give them your address and ask others not to tell you where you are.
- You may need to change your phone number and email address to make it more difficult for your family to contact you.
- Consider sending a written statement that you have cut ties with them. State you no longer wish to be contacted, disown them and if they try to contact you, you will take legal action.
Step 3. Consider obtaining a restraining order
If your family uses physical violence against you or your child, you may be able to apply for a restraining order so they will be legally required to stay away. A Domestic Violence Retraining Orders (DVROs) can prevent your family from contacting you or approaching you for some distance.
- Consider hiring an attorney to help guide you through the process of filing a restraining order. These procedures differ from state to state and you are more likely to receive protection if you have an expert assisting with filing and advising court proceedings.
- Once a restraining order has been obtained, contact the police immediately if your family is bothering you.
Step 4. Another way to ensure that your family cannot influence you or your family is to expressly state this in your will
Hire an attorney to help you write a will that dictates your wishes regarding your end-of-life decisions, guardianship of your children, and your wishes regarding the handling of your property.
Tips
- Only emancipate if you really can't stand them.
- It also depends on your age.
- . Get advice from friends before doing anything.
- Try solving the problem with a counselor.
