What is the law on emancipation of minor in Maine?

Full question:

I am a minor but I want to file for emancipation. My friend told me about it and I find this the only way to get away from my parents. They have been the cruelest parents to me all this while and I don't think I can take it anymore. I don’t know how I will support myself or where I’ll live but ill figure it out once I am out of this hell. I wanna know if I can get emancipation for the above mentioned reasons?

• Category: Minors
• Subcategory: Emancipation of Minor
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Maine

Answer:

You could have stated those reasons to get an emancipation decree in your favor. However, it looks like you do not have a plan or money to support yourself once you are free from the control of our parents. The court can deny you emancipation if you do not seem to be responsible enough to take care of yourself. The court would ask you if you have made proper arrangements for your stay, board, health care, education, vocational training and figured out a job so that you could support yourself. Until you convince the court that you can take care of yourself, there are high chances of you not getting an emancipation order in your favor. Further, in your case, if the court decides to deny you an emancipation order then the court may recommend that you and your family to get counseling from the Department of Health and Human Services.
 
Here is the relevant law for more details.

15 M.R.S. § 3506-A:
Emancipation
1. Petition for Emancipation.
If a juvenile is 16 years of age or older and refuses to live in the home provided by his parents, guardian or custodian, he may request the District Court in the division in which his parents, guardian or custodian resides to appoint counsel for him to petition for emancipation.
2. Contents of Petition.
The petition shall state plainly:
     A. The facts which bring the juvenile within the court's jurisdiction and which form the basis for the petition;
     B. The name, date of birth, sex and residence of the juvenile; and
     C. The name and residence of his parent or parents, guardian or custodian.
2-A. Mediation.
Upon the filing of a petition and prior to a hearing under this section, the court may refer the parties to mediation. Any agreement reached by the parties through mediation on any issues shall be stated in writing, signed by the parties and presented to the court for approval as a court order.
3. Hearing.
On the filing of a petition, the court shall schedule a hearing and shall notify the parent or parents, guardian or custodian of the date of the hearing, the legal consequences of an order of emancipation, the right to be represented by legal counsel and the right to present evidence at the hearing. Notice shall be given in the manner provided in the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4, for service of process.
4. Order of Emancipation.
The court shall order emancipation of the juvenile if it determines that:
     A. The juvenile has made reasonable provision for his room, board, health care and education, vocational training or employment; and
     B. The juvenile is sufficiently mature to assume responsibility for his own care and it is in his best interest to do so.
5. Denial of Petition.
If the court determines that the criteria established in subsection 4 are not met, the court shall deny the petition and may recommend that the Department of Health and Human Services provide continuing services and counseling to the family.
6. Appeal.
Any person named in the petition who is aggrieved by the order of the court may appeal to the Superior Court.
7. Public Proceeding; Exception.
Notwithstanding section 3307, subsection 2, paragraph B, the court shall not exclude the public unless the minor or the minor's parent or parents, guardian or custodian, requests that the public be excluded and the minor or the minor's parent or parents, guardian or custodian, does not object. If the public is excluded, only the parties, their attorneys, court officers and witnesses may be present.