There are different legal situations that can change the relationship between you and your parents.
A CHIPS petition (Child in Need of Protection or Services). The Juvenile Court can order you to live in foster care. The court decides what supervision you need. CHIPS cases are usually filed by the county, after child protection investigates.
A Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA). The DOPA is a paper your parents sign to let someone else act as parent. It can last up to 12 months, and your parents can take it back at any time. See our fact sheet Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA).
DOPA forms: Create a completed form online at www.lawhelpmn.org/forms.
An Order for Protection (OFP). If your parents have abused you emotionally, physically, or sexually, or contact with them is harmful, the court can order that they stay away from you or see you only under certain conditions with an OFP. An OFP also covers threatened physical abuse. See our fact Sheet Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders.
OFP forms: Create a completed form ready to file at www.lawhelpmn.org/forms.
Emancipation. Some states have “emancipation” where a court orders that a youth is not under the parents’ care or control and is on their own. There is no set process for “emancipation” in Minnesota, but emancipation is possible here. See our fact sheet Emancipation and call the Youth Law Project at (612) 332-1441 to find out more.