{"id":373858,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-02-13T12:59:43","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T17:59:43","slug":"maryland-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Maryland Legal Ages Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

State laws dictate what age individuals must be to get married, enter contracts, take out student loans, or make other legal decisions. Those under the "age of majority," or minors, are considered incapable of making such decisions in the eyes of the law.<\/p>\r\n

The state of Maryland recognizes the age of majority as age 18. When a minor reaches age 18, they are considered an adult thereafter. State laws also govern a minor’s ability to become emancipated from their parents or legal guardians, give consent for medical treatment, purchase and consume alcohol, and other legal matters.<\/p>\r\n

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

Maryland Age Statutes: At a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Legal ages in Maryland are highlighted in the chart below. See FindLaw’s Emancipation of Minors<\/a> section for additional articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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

18 (Md. Code \u00a7 1-401<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

N\/A<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

    \r\n
  • A minor with a spouse is authorized to join with the spouse in any deed of real property (M.D. Est. & Trusts Code \u00a7 13-503)<\/li>\r\n
  • A war veteran or member of the armed services who is a minor is eligible for benefits under the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 and may mortgage real estate, buy real estate, execute a deed, and make other agreements (M.D. Est. & Trusts Code \u00a7 13-503)<\/li>\r\n
  • A minor who is at least 15 years old may contract for annuities and for life or health insurance on the minor’s own life or body, or on the person of whom the minor has an insurance interest, may surrender any interest in the contract and give a valid discharge for any benefit, but is not entitled to rescind, avoid, or repudiate the contract and is not bound by any unperformed agreement to pay (M.D. Est. & Trusts Code \u00a7 13-503)<\/li>\r\n
  • If an estate of a minor is being administered by a guardian, no contract is binding on the estate without the consent of the guardian (M.D. Est. & Trusts Code \u00a7 13-503)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

By guardian, next friend, or parent (Md. R. Civ. P. Cir. Ct. 2-202)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Legal Age for Alcohol and Tobacco\/E-cigarette Purchase and\/or Consumption<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

21 (Md. Code \u00a7 1-101<\/a> and Md. Code, Crim. Law \u00a7 10-108<\/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

Georgia Legal Ages Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n