{"id":375285,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:04","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-york-law\/new-york-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-24T16:38:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T21:38:39","slug":"new-york-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-york-law\/new-york-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New York Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New York 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

An Overview of State Legal Age Laws<\/h2>\r\n

States differentiate between adults and minors with respect to legal capacity<\/a>. This means that the law cannot assign legal responsibility to an individual who lacks the mental capacity or maturity to fully understand the consequences of their actions. This often arises when a child commits a serious crime and prosecutors must decide whether to charge the child as an adult. It also applies to everyday situations that require the consent of a parent, such as most contractual agreements.<\/p>\r\n

New York Legal Age Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

People mature at different ages, but states must draw the line somewhere. New York’s legal age laws, for example, establish an "age of majority" of 18. At the age of majority, an individual is legally considered an adult. Minors in New York may consent to medical treatment if they are married, the parent of a patient that is also a child, or in cases of emergency.<\/p>\r\n

This chart provides the basics of New York legal age laws. To learn more, consider reviewing FindLaw’s "How Long Do Parents’ Legal Obligations to Their Children Continue?<\/a>"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Age of Majority<\/td>\r\nUnder relevant law, the age of majority is 18.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Eligibility for Emancipation<\/td>\r\nThe qualifications for eligibility for emancipation are not specified by a statute.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Contracts by Minors<\/td>\r\n
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  • Under \u00a7 681, a minor may take out student loans.<\/li>\r\n
  • Under \u00a7 3207, a minor may enter into contracts for life insurance, if they are 15 years of age or older.<\/li>\r\n
  • Under \u00a7 3-101, contracts may not be voided under certain circumstances on grounds that a minor entered into a contract prior to their reaching the age of majority. For more information, consider reviewing the statute linked immediately above.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Minors’ Ability to Sue<\/td>\r\n
Minors’ Consent to Medical Treatment<\/td>\r\n