Your parents are abusive. Your parents are unable to take care of you. The situation at your parents’ house is morally repugnant to you. You are financially independent and want to have the rights of an adult.
Start by finding a job as soon as possible. Save up as much money as possible; be sure not to spend it on items you don’t really need. Move out of your family’s house and into your own apartment. You also have the option of staying with a friend or relative, as long as the person agrees that the arrangement is permanent.
If possible, consider getting legal help when you fill out the paperwork. A lawyer familiar with your state’s laws will be able to guide you through the process to make sure everything is filled out correctly. Look into ways to hire a lawyer when you have low income.
An investigation into your home situation may be conducted after the preliminary meeting. If you are successfully able to prove that you can and should live as an adult, you’ll be free to cut off all contact with your parents and family members - effectively disowning them.
If you’re unsure about calling CPS, talk to a trusted adult like a teacher, school counselor or your friends’ parents about your options. Understand that when you turn 18, your parents will no longer have the legal right to make decisions for you. Maybe you don’t get along with your parents, but are they putting you in actual danger? If not, your best bet might be to wait it out. When you turn 18, you’ll be able to live your life the way you want.
If you aren’t financially independent, get a job, determine whether you can stay with a friend or relative until you get on your feet.
You may want to change your phone number and email address to make it more difficult for your family to get in touch. Consider sending a written statement that you are cutting off contact. State that you no longer want to be in contact, that you are disowning them, and that if they try to contact you you’ll take legal action.
Consider hiring a lawyer to help guide you through the process of filing a restraining order. The procedure varies from state to state, and you’ll have a better chance of getting the protections you want if you have an expert helping you fill out the forms and navigate court appearances. Once the restraining order is in place, call the police immediately if your family members violate it.
