What Does it Mean to Be Emancipated From Your Parents?

Emancipation is a legal process that grants teenagers independence from their parents, before the age of majority. An emancipated teenager is no longer under his parents' control or in his parents' custody, and is responsible for himself.

Reasons for Emancipation

Emancipation laws vary from state to state, but courts will typically accept a teenager's being married, joining the armed forces, or living separately and responsibly away from her parents, as reasons for emancipation. Courts will also consider emancipation if it is in the child's best interest.

Rights and Responsibilities

Emancipated teenagers must be able to live separately from their parents, and support themselves financially. They have the right to sign contracts, sue other people, get a driver's or marriage license without parental approval, and buy or sell property.

State Laws

Each state sets different minimum ages for emancipation. Many states require a teenager to be at least 16 to seek emancipation, including Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia. Some states consider teenagers emancipated without a court order if they are married or have enlisted in the armed forces. These states include Vermont, Michigan and California.

References

• Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut: A Teenager's Guide to Emancipation
• Tellin It Like It Is: How to Divorce Your Parents
• Divorce and Family Law Center: Selected State Child Emancipation Laws