Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated September 27, 2017
Kids are always asking their parents about when they’ll finally be treating like adults. And while it’s normally up to the parents to determine the amount of independence their children should be allowed, the Sunflower State’s legal system is a bit clearer on distinguishing between minors and adults. Here is an overview of legal age laws in Kansas.
States have varying minor laws to define the "age of majority," or the age at which a citizen is considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Like most states, Kansas’s age of majority is 18 years old, or 16 if you are married. Minors may have some legal rights and responsibilities, like the ability to make hospital, medical, and surgical care decisions, as well as enter into insurance contracts if they have a non-minor so-signer.
The details of Kansas’s legal age statutes are listed below.
Eligibility for Emancipation |
Kansas Statutes 38-101, et seq.: Minors At discretion of the court Kansas Statutes: 38-109 |
Contracts by Minors |
Valid for necessities; also for other contracts unless disaffirmed in reasonable time after majority is obtained and money, property restored Kansas Statutes 38-102; May consummate insurance contracts but must have consent of parents and co-signature of party over age 18 Kansas Statutes 40-237 |
Minors' Ability to Sue |
Through infant's representative; if no representative, then through next friend or guardian ad litem Kansas Statutes 60-217(c) |
Minors' Consent to Medical Treatment |
Unmarried pregnant minor may consent to hospital, medical, and surgical care Kansas Statutes 38-123; Or any minor over 16 Kansas Statutes 38-123b |
Kansas has a legal process by which a person under the age of 18 can apply to become a legal adult. This process, known as the “emancipation of a minor,” (or in Kansas as a “Petition for Rights of Majority”) can allow a minor to become responsible for his or her own decisions regarding education, health care, residence, and other matters. Kansas statutes list no minimum age for emancipation, and courts have the discretion to decide emancipation cases in the minor’s best interests. In criminal cases, minors will normally be treated as such until they turn 18 (or they are emancipated), especially in age and status offenses.
State legal ages laws cover a variety of topics and scenarios. You can visit FindLaw’s section on Family Law for additional articles and information on this topic. You can also consult with a Kansas family law attorney in your area if you would like legal assistance regarding a juvenile case or a family law matter.
The legal ages laws give us guidelines regarding the legal age acceptable to engage in certain activities. However, there are times when the guidelines do not conform to your situation. Are you a minor contemplating marriage or emancipation? If you need clarification about how the legal ages laws affect you, then you should seek legal help. You can contact a Kansas family law attorney right away.
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