{"id":371440,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-02-14T11:01:40","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T16:01:40","slug":"alaska-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/alaska-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alaska Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alaska 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 younger than the age of majority (18 in most states) and thus not considered an adult. But upon reaching the age of majority, or becoming emancipated from one’s parents, an individual is an adult in the eyes of the law.<\/p>\r\n

Legally, an adult is an individual subject to all of the privileges and responsibilities that come with adulthood. For instance, adults may purchase cigarettes, but they also may 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 the maturity to live apart from one’s parents or legal guardians and support one’s self. 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 access to the law every once in a while. State legal age laws<\/a> address these needs, such as the ability to consent to birth control, drug treatment, or to petition the court for emancipation.<\/p>\r\n

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

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

As in most other states, the age of majority in Alaska is 18. Minors may not directly sue in Alaska courts, only through a proxy such as a guardian ad litem or next friend. Children as young as 16 may petition the court for emancipation by submitting an explanation of why "removal" (from their parent’s home) would be in the minor’s best interests and the main reason for seeking emancipation.<\/p>\r\n

Additional provisions of Alaska laws setting legal ages for minors are listed in the following table. 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<\/th>\r\n

18 (A.S. \u00a7 25.20.010<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

16 (A.S. \u00a7 09.55.590)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

May receive and give full discharge and acquittance for insurance payments up to $3,000 if 16 or over; must be life insurance or annuity (A.S. \u00a7 21.42.290<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

By representative, guardian ad litem, or next friend (Alaska R. Civ. P. 17<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

If living apart from their parents or if the parent of a child, the minor may give their own consent; minors may also give consent for medical and dental services if the parent or legal guardian of the minor cannot be contacted or if contacted, are unwilling to grant or withhold consent; minors may also give consent for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of pregnancy and for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease (A.S. \u00a7 25.20.025<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n