Nevada Legal Ages Laws

Like most states, Nevada recognizes 18 as the "age of majority." This is the age when state residents are legally considered adults. Other legal age laws, however, give minors the ability to become emancipated, give consent to medical treatment, and perform other legal matters that are usually reserved for adults. This article is a quick summary of legal age laws in Nevada.

Age of Majority in Nevada

The "age of majority" is 18 in most states. For those younger than 18, legal age laws also dictate certain rights and responsibilities for minors. For instance, Nevada's legal age laws state that a child that is 16 or older may be emancipated by judicial order.

Nevada Age Statutes

The following chart highlights the basics of Nevada legal age laws.

Each state can have its own age limits for voting, marrying, and consuming alcohol. Most of the time, these differences reflect community and societal values regarding minors' decision-making abilities and capacity for holding responsibilities. For example, while a 14-year-old may be old enough to be sued in court for intentionally injuring someone or damaging someone else's property, they may not be allowed to drink until age 21 or vote until age 18.

Legal Responsibilities of Minors and Parents

The emancipation of a minor refers to a legal process by which a minor can become an adult in the eyes of the law. While Nevada sets the default age of majority at 18, emancipation can allow a minor to be responsible for their own wellbeing and make all of their own major decisions regarding healthcare, school, and other matters. Until they turn 18 or are they are emancipated, juveniles will generally be treated as such in criminal cases, including age and status offenses.

Nevada Legal Ages Laws: Related Resources

State laws are liable to change frequently. You can contact a Nevada family law attorney in your area if you would like legal assistance with your case. You can also continue your own research by visiting FindLaw's family law section.