Defiant Teen

When a teen decides to be a defiant teen and blames it on divorce, how does a parent deal? Divorce affects the children who are often caught in the middle. That is a fact of life. The divorcing parents have the power to put their differences aside and try and do what is in the best interests of the children involved.

Even if the parents have joint custody and have honestly handled the situation keeping personal drama to a minimum, what if the teen cannot seem to get over the divorce?

Counseling Defiant Teens

Counseling can help the teen and the parents to express their feelings in a safe environment where the defiant child does not feel to have to make a choice between Mom and Dad. Group therapy with other teens experiencing divorce can open the eyes. But what if you have done counseling and tried psychiatric help for depression and even medication but your teen is still storming down the road towards self-destruction? Parents can only do so much to control a defiant teen. For the defiant teen it is the same situation, but maybe another conclusion.

When Things go Wrong

If the situation with one of your children becomes unbearable, it is possible that he or she suffers from the so called Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Symptoms of ODD are: ongoing uncooperativeness, defiance and hostile behavior. The behavior seriously interferes with your child's day to day functioning. Oppositional Defiance Disorder can be treated by professionals.

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How to Get a Divorce From Parents

Everyone has issues and conflicts with their parents. Some defiant teens in a divorcing situation have a situation where they need given the legal authority over their own life before they turn 18. The laws differ from state to state.

What steps can teens take to start the process and before they hire a laywer to look at the laws from your specific state to see who can be emancipated and if a divorce is even possible where you live.

Step 1

Make a list of your reasons as to why you want a divorce. Good reasons to get emancipated include abuse, neglect, abandonment, parental drug abuse, both of your parents being in prison (especially if they won't get out until after you turn 18), or exploitation of you by your parents. Get as much proof as possible, so that your lawyer has something to work with. Get witnesses, paper information, police report or anything else that will help your case.

Step 2

Take your case to a family law attorney, who will look it over for its merit. He will better know the laws of you state and how to proceed legally in your case. He will also be able to tell you if your case is even worth taking to court, before you waste anymore time or money.

Step 3

File a civil suit against your parents, with the help of your attorney, in which you state your allegations and what it is you want out of your parents.

Step 4

Go before a judge and explain your situation. The judge will make the final decision based on your allegations, your evidence and on your ability to live emancipated from your parents. If the judge rules in your favor, you will be divorced from your parents and they will no longer have legal custody of you.