{"id":371339,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2022-12-06T15:19:18","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T20:19:18","slug":"alabama-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alabama Legal Ages Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A minor is anyone under the age of majority (18 in most states) and thus not considered an adult. Upon reaching the age of majority, or becoming emancipated from one’s parents, an individual is an adult in the eyes of the law. Legally, an adult is an individual subject to all privileges and responsibilities that come with adulthood.<\/p>\r\n

For instance, adults may purchase cigarettes, but they may also be sued in a court of law or drafted into the military. An emancipated minor<\/a> is one who has been deemed by the court to have the means and maturity to live apart from one’s parents or legal guardians and support oneself. Children seeking emancipation also must have a place to live and a legal source of income.<\/p>\r\n

While minors have limited privileges and responsibilities, they still need to access the law every once in a while. State legal age laws<\/a> address these needs, such as the ability to consent to and access birth control or drug treatment, or to petition the court for emancipation.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of legal age statutes in the state of Alabama.<\/p>\r\n

Alabama Legal Age Laws: At a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Every state has minor laws<\/a> that dictate the "age of majority," or the age at which a citizen is considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Alabama draws that line at 19 years old, although minors still have certain legal rights and responsibilities. For example, under Alabama law, a 15-year-old can enter into an insurance contract.<\/p>\r\n

Additional provisions of Alabama laws setting legal ages for minors are listed in the table below. You can also visit FindLaw’s Family Law<\/a> section for additional articles and information on this topic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Age of Majority<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

19 (Ala. Code \u00a7 26-1-1<\/a>: Age of Majority Designated as 19 Years)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Age of Majority Exceptions<\/td>\r\nUnder Ala. Code \u00a7 26-1-5<\/a>, there are certain exceptions to the age of majority:
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  • For purposes of contracting educational loans, the age of majority is 17 years old<\/li>\r\n
  • For purposes of contracting with a bank, credit union, or similar savings and loan institution, including obtaining a loan or opening a checking or savings account, a member of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be deemed to have attained the age of majority<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Eligibility for Emancipation<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

18 (Ala. Code \u00a7 26-13-1<\/a>: Relief of Minor Children for Nonage)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Contracts by Minors<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Minors age 15 or older may contract for life, health, accident, and annuity insurance; however, they are not bound by any unperformed agreement to pay a premium (Ala. Code \u00a7 27-14-5<\/a>: Power of Contract)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Minors’ Ability to Sue<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

May sue through a personal representative, next friend, or guardian ad litem; if the minor is age 14 or over, they have 30 days to choose guardian ad litem (ARCP, Rule 17 (c), (d)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Minors’ Consent to Medical Treatment<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n