[EndlichAllein]

I'm sixteen now and I'll be trying for emancipation either in the summer or fall after I turn seventeen. I was planning on living with a friend until I turned eighteen but I was wondering if I could get my own apartment before then. Any help?

[LILL]

Minnesota has no emancipation statute, but there is case law suggesting that a minor may emancipate through lawful marriage or through parental consent.

[AK lawyer]

Minnesota has no emancipation statute, but there is case law suggesting that a minor may emancipate through lawful marriage or through parental consent.

So, to answer the question, a potential landlord probably would hesitate to sign a lease to the OP, because the OP doesn't have the legal capacity to enter into such a contract. If OP's parents, or another adult, will sign the lease, that might work.

[EndlichAllein]

What? So if I want to get emancipated I have to either get married or have my mother sign something letting me go? Are you sure? What about in abusive cases? That can't be okay.

[ScottGem]

If there is a case of abuse you report it and you can be placed, in foster care until you reach 18. That is the law! Lill is correct that MN has no statutes permitting emancipation. Even in places where there are statutory laws for emancipation it is very difficult to get. Living with a friend won't cut it.

Until you reach the age of majority, 18, or get a court to emancipate you can't sign a lease or enter into a contract.

[joypulv]

If you want to describe abuse, we might be able to give you some odds of what would happen if you report it.
Be careful, though. It can hurt the people you are charging, and you could end up in foster care or some other place you will like even less.
And if they are just mean verbally, that won't count.
Sometimes jumping from the frying pan into the fire is worse.
How will you get the money to live on your own? It's expensive.

[EndlichAllein]

My mother is verbally, mentally and physically abusive. Though it isn't a punch to the face, it's more like she throws me into things and has slapped me so hard my nose began to bleed. It happens often enough now where I flinch when she reaches for me.
I don't want to be placed in foster care, like you said, that may not be any better. What about when I'm seventeen? Can I move out early?

[JudyKayTee]

Where's your father in this scenario?

If your mother is as abusive as you say she very well may not care if you leave.

Have you asked her?

The question is how to get an apartment. Move out and move in with someone who is legal age.

[ScottGem]

Again the age of majority is 18. If you leave at 17 you could be considered runaway. Have you talked to a counselor at school?