By Jade Yeban, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq. | Last reviewed June 25, 2023
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In most states, a child legally becomes an adult at the age of majority, 18 or 19. There are certain cases where someone younger than the age of majority may want to assume the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. They can do so by petitioning the court for emancipation. Emancipation is the legal liberation of a young person from parental control (or the control of legal guardians).
State minor emancipation laws differ on age limits, the request's circumstances, and court procedures. Read on if you'd like to continue to learn about the emancipation requirements from selected states.
The legal process of becoming an adult before the age of majority is emancipation. Emancipation grants minors rights and responsibilities typically reserved for adults. It allows them to make decisions about their own lives. They can get jobs, enter binding contracts in their names, and manage their finances. An emancipated minor can make these decisions without parental consent.
To pursue emancipation, a minor must usually petition the juvenile court of their jurisdiction. They must outline the reasons for their desired emancipation. The petition must also show the minor's self-sufficiency and prove they can manage their affairs. The court carefully considers each case to determine whether emancipation is in the best interests of the minor.
State laws on emancipation vary. So, it is important to know the specific regulations in the relevant jurisdiction. In general, the minor must be of a certain age and able to show self-sufficiency. They may need to show proof of employment, education, or the ability to support themselves without public assistance.
Discover the emancipation requirements for certain states:
| In Alabama, the age of majority is 19. Alabama Code § 26-13-1 focuses on the emancipation process and expands the rights of minors over 18 but under the age of majority. Parents can file an emancipation petition with the court, or the minor seeking emancipation can file the petition if that minor has no parents or if a living parent is mentally ill or has abandoned the minor. The court will then decide if a decree of emancipation is in the "interest of such minor." | |
| In California, the age of majority is 18. Minors are emancipated without court intervention if they get married, join the armed forces, or have been emancipated by a California court. Otherwise, to seek court-mandated emancipation, the minor must be no younger than 14 years old, live apart from their parents, show the ability to care for themselves financially, and not receive any income from illegal or criminal activity. If the court grants the order of emancipation, the minor then has the privilege and right to sign contracts; approve medical care; buy, lease, and sell real property; be the plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit; write a will; live in their own home; go to school and get a work permit. If the minor's situation changes, the court can end the emancipation and tell the minor's parents that they are again responsible for the child. | |
| The age of majority in Florida is 18. Petitioners must be 16 years old to petition for emancipation. To seek court-mandated emancipation, minors must submit a statement of character, habits, education, income, and mental capacity for business. They must also explain how they will meet their own needs of food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities. Also, minors must state whether they are party to any court action in Florida or another state. Minors must also submit a statement explaining why they seek an order of emancipation. Parents must be notified of any such proceeding. The court then asks for more evidence to determine if the decree of emancipation is in the minor's best interest. If the court grants the order of emancipation, the minor will have all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of anyone who has reached the age of majority (18 years of age). | |
| The age of majority in Illinois is 18. Illinois Statute 750 ILCS 30 allows the court to give an order of emancipation to a "mature minor who has demonstrated the ability and capacity to manage his [or her] own affairs and to live wholly or partially independent of his [or her] parents." The Illinois statute also seeks to tailor the content of the emancipation order to fit the needs of the minor seeking the order. The law states that for an order of emancipation from the court to be valid, neither the parents nor the minor can offer any objections. Also, the court will examine the situation and determine whether to give a full or partial order of emancipation. If the parents object, neither a complete nor partial emancipation order may be entered unless the court finds, after a hearing, that emancipation is in the minor's best interests. Once the court enters the emancipation, it will determine what adult privileges and rights, the minor will have. Only those rights listed in the order will be in effect for that minor. The child must be at least 16 years old but under 18 to seek a court-mandated emancipation order. The minor must confirm that they live in Illinois, explain why they want a complete or partial order of emancipation, show that they are a "mature minor," and show that they have lived independently. | |
| The age of majority in Michigan is 18. Michigan Statute 722.1 (c) defines emancipation as the "termination of the rights of the parents to the custody, control, services, and earnings of a minor." Absent an order of emancipation, the statute confirms that parents are responsible for supporting their minor children. One or both parents can object to the emancipation proceedings. In that case, the court may decide to dismiss the proceedings. The Michigan statute states the four ways that a minor can be emancipated without a court order as being by marriage, reaching the age of majority (18 years of age), joining the armed forces, and temporarily while in police custody to consent to needed medical treatment. The statute requires the minor to bring the petition to the court. The minor must submit information showing they can care for themselves financially without seeking help from the state of Michigan. Minors must also show the court that they can care for their personal and social affairs, including proof of housing. The petition to the court must include a statement from an adult sufficiently familiar with the minor explaining why emancipation is "in the best interests of the minor." At this point, the court may seek more information and ask someone from the court staff to investigate the situation further and report back to the court. The court then determines if an emancipation order is in the minor's best interests. If the court emancipates the minor, the adult rights and responsibilities do not include those limited by age and law, such as using and purchasing alcohol and voting. But they include signing contracts, being a plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit, keeping any money the minor earns, living away from the parents, approving health care and medical procedures, getting married, writing a will, and enrolling in school. If the minor's circumstances change, the court can rescind the emancipation order. If that happens, the parents "are not liable for any debts incurred by the minor during the period of emancipation" (Section 722.4e, Michigan Complied Laws). | |
| The age of majority in North Carolina is 18. A minor must be at least 16 years of age to seek an order of emancipation from the court. The court will consider several factors, including the parents' need for the minor's earnings as well as the minor's ability to accept adult responsibilities in determining the best interests of the minor. The minor will have the adult rights to sign contracts, take part in lawsuits, and conduct other adult-related business if emancipation is granted. The parents' duties of support to the minor are thereby ended. | |
| The age of majority in Oregon is 18. A minor must be 16 years of age to seek an order of emancipation from the court. The minor must show they can support themselves and otherwise assume adult responsibilities. If the court determines that an order of emancipation is in the best interests of the minor, then the minor has all the rights and is subject to all liabilities of a citizen of full age. | |
| A minor must be at least 16 years old to seek an order of emancipation from the court. Minors are emancipated without a court order if they get married or have entered the armed forces. For the court to consider making an order of emancipation, the minors must have already lived separately from their parents for at least three months, successfully taken care of their own finances, and show that they can take care of other personal business, either have received a high school diploma or are working toward one, and not be a ward of the social services or corrections department. | |
| A minor must be at least 16 years old to seek an order of emancipation from the court. Minors must also show the court that they can provide for themselves and their physical and financial well-being and make decisions. If a court enters an emancipation order, minors have the rights and privileges of adults. |
After filing a petition for emancipation, the court will schedule a hearing in family court. The minor will need to present their case at this hearing. The judge evaluates factors such as the minor's maturity, stability, and the extent to which they can handle adult responsibilities. The court may also consider the minor's relationship with their parents or legal guardians. They can also consider any potential risks associated with emancipation. If the judge finds that emancipation is in the best interests of the minor, they will order a declaration of emancipation. At this point, the emancipation of a minor is official.
A minor gains certain rights and responsibilities upon emancipation. They may get a driver's license, enter into binding contracts in their own name, and make decisions about their education and medical treatment without parental consent. Also, they can legally choose their name and establish residency outside their parents' homes.
While emancipation offers newfound freedom, it's important to understand its implications. Emancipated minors are responsible for their well-being. This includes financial stability, housing, and healthcare. They may also have to provide child support if they have children. Emancipation does not sever the biological relationship between a minor and their parents. It only alters the parents' control and legal responsibilities.
Emancipation statutes and procedures can be quite complicated, particularly for young people who haven't studied the finer points of family law. For some minors, emancipation is an important first step toward independence. State laws, case law, and common law principles can influence the emancipation court process. A lawyer can help you navigate these laws. If you're considering emancipation, you should speak with an attorney.
Attorneys can provide valuable legal advice to guide you through your situation. They can help you get the legal status of emancipation. Some states also offer self-help options for minors. A lawyer will provide the most helpful legal information for your case.
Speak with a family law attorney in your state today.
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