How to Get Emancipated in Arizona Without a Job

Emancipation means a minor is legally regarded as an adult.

Emancipation releases a minor from parental control. Achieving emancipation in the Arizona Courts, for example, brings about both freedom and responsibilities. An emancipated minor can apply for loans, obtain social services, write contracts and buy property. At the same time, the emancipated minor may be sued, or arrested and face adult charges. Getting emancipated in Arizona without a job is a difficult proposition. Finding a way to support yourself is essential to your success.

Things You'll Need

• Personal identification
• Financial records
• Employment records
• Medical records
• Academic records
• Housing records
• Witness testimony

Instructions

1. Go to the office of the clerk for the Arizona Superior Court in the county where you live. Remember, you must prove you are at least 16 years old and not married to apply for emancipation in the state of Arizona.

2. Show your personal identification to the clerk. Offer two forms of current identification -- a driver's license and social security card, for example. Explain your desire to petition for emancipation. Ask the clerk for an Emancipation of a Minor petition and any additional forms or affidavits associated with the petition.

3. Complete the form in its entirety. Explain why you desire emancipation and why the court should side in your favor. Describe in detail how you plan to support yourself if you do not currently have a job. If you have a large inheritance, for example, state this fact and include the amount and details of your financial accounts. If you can afford it, consult an attorney to have a professional set of eyes review the document and represent you once the hearing arrives.

4. Defend yourself, or have a lawyer defend your case, at a court hearing. Show just cause to the court why emancipation in needed using medical records and police reports, for example. Use witness testimony of family members to verify abuse in the home, for example, or character witnesses who can attest to your sense of personal responsibility. This step is vital in supporting the rest of your case. The hearing will commence a maximum of three months after filing your emancipation petition.

5. Present the judge with financial records and supporting documentation proving you can support yourself. Records may include checking account statements and inheritance documentation. Supporting documentation may include previous employment records or a letter of employment if you have been employed in the past or have been promised a job by an employer. Speak to the judge with clarity, honesty and confidence.

References

• Arizona Dependent Children's Services Division: Emancipation in Arizona
• Arizona Courts: Emancipation