What are the steps of a civil case?

Planning to get emancipated in 2 years, what steps should I take in case I do decide?

• I am currently 15, will be sixteen in November. I would like to be emancipated around the time I graduate high school. I'll be graduating in '11. What steps should I take? My goal is to save up at least $2500. I'm aiming for higher. I will be getting a job in the winter after school activites die down. I'm prepared to not do many activites my senior year so I can maintain grades and a good paying job so I can pay for health care. I live in Oregon by the way. When should I apply? What should I do? How should I tell my parents? Part of this is apply for college, I might be able to get more aid. I'm not set on this, I just want to be prepared in case I do decide.

• Answer:

  You cannot just get emancipated to you can get more aid. There has to be abuse, neglect, etc. from your parents in order for the judge to grant this. Secondly, $2500 will only get you through about 2 1/2 months. You have to show how you plan and getting transportation, rent, food, utilities, heath, etc. Rent is probably going to cost you between $600 - $700 and you will have to pay a deposit, which would be another months rent. You may also have to have gas/electric, etc. if the apartment does not include it. For health, you are look at about $200, and this still does not include transportation, groceries, etc.