Options Other Than Emancipation

Emancipation may not be the ideal solution, even if you are trying to escape an abusive or difficult home environment.  You may have trouble supporting yourself, while trying to complete your education.  You may have trouble renting an apartment, buying a car, or getting loans, simply due to your age.  Although you will have a court order that says that contracts you sign are legally binding, others may not want to take a chance on such a young person, without a co-signer for the agreement. 

Pursuing other options means that you continue to have some adult guidance and protection until you reach age 18.  You might try some of these alternatives instead:

• Getting your parents’ or guardians’ permission or consent to live on your own
• Getting your parents’ or guardians’ permission to live with a relative or other responsible adult
• Getting help from the Iowa Department of Human Services or a private organization, such as Ellipsis Iowa, Foundation 2 Crisis Services, or the National Runaway Safeline
• Establishing a Minor Guardianship
• Establishing a Durable Power of Attorney for a Minor Child

A Durable Power of Attorney for a Minor Child allows your parents to choose a different adult, an “agent,” to make decisions for you in emergencies or when your parents are absent or unavailable.   Your parents can select what powers the agent has, including helping enroll you in school, requesting government benefits on your behalf, signing rental agreements, and authorizing medical procedures.  A Durable Power of Attorney means that, even if your parents become incapacitated, the executed Power of Attorney stays in place. 

For more information on minor guardianships and emancipation, see Iowa Legal Aid’s article Emancipation and Minor Guardianships.