{"id":371682,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2022-12-13T13:04:51","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T18:04:51","slug":"arkansas-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arkansas Legal Ages Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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

The age of majority is 18 in nearly every U.S. state. The age of majority is the point when individuals are considered adults in the eyes of the law and subject to all associated rights and responsibilities.<\/p>\r\n

State laws determine limits and rules<\/a> for children under 18 who need access to certain legal processes. For instance, in most states, children as young as 16 who are able to prove they can live apart from their parents may independently seek to be "emancipated" from their parents. Emancipated minors have the legal rights and responsibilities of adults.<\/p>\r\n

State laws also determine the age when a child can consent to certain medical treatments, enter into legal contracts, and sue in a court of law.<\/p>\r\n

Legal Ages Under Arkansas Law<\/h2>\r\n

As in most states, the age of majority in Arkansas is 18. However, a child as young as 16 may petition a court for emancipation. Minors may file a lawsuit with the assistance of a next friend<\/a> or guardian.<\/p>\r\n

Additional provisions of Arkansas laws setting legal ages for minors are listed in the table below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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

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

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

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

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