How to Get Emancipated
When a minor becomes emancipated, they are able to take on the responsibilities of an adult before the age of 18 and get out from under their parents’ control. This has a lot of advantages and disadvantages, so a teenager that is thinking of becoming emancipated should not make the decision likely. Emancipation is permanent, but the court can reverse it in certain situations, like a child being unable to support themselves financially.
How to Get Emancipated
You will automatically become emancipated when you are married under the age of 18 and when you join the armed forces. Both of these actions need parental permission before you can do so. To get married before the age of 18, you will often need court permission, and to join the armed forces before the age of 18, the armed forces need to allow you to join.
The way most people get emancipated is through a court process. A judge will review the evidence you present of your circumstances and determine if you will benefit from being emancipated. You need to be at least 14 years old to be emancipated and be able to take care of yourself. This means you need to be able to earn your own money and handle it. You must also prove that becoming emancipated would be a positive and your parents do not mind if you no longer live with them.
What Do I Have To Do Once I Am Emancipated?
Once you are emancipated, you will be responsible for yourself. You will no longer need parental permission for things, and you will be responsible for your wellbeing and any legally-binding contracts you sign. You will need to:
- Find a place to live and pay for rent and living costs
- Book medical appointments, advocate for yourself and pay for medical costs
- Apply for education and pay any fees
- Be responsible for costs like food, clothing, and other necessities
After you are emancipated, you may be held liable and be financially responsible for things that your parents would have been before you were emancipated. It is a lot of work to have to think about all of these things, and that is one of the main reasons becoming emancipated is a serious process overseen by a judge.
What Are the Reasons to Become Emancipated?
A judge will require you to present the reason you want to be emancipated. Because it does leave a minor vulnerable, they will weigh up if the reasons for emancipation are worth the risk. Some of the common reasons a judge will allow a minor to become emancipated are:
- A minor is financially independent of their parents
- A minor is legally married and wants to live with their new spouse
- A minor is being abused or neglected by their parents
- A minor has been kicked out of their parents’ home
- A minor objects to their parents’ living arrangement based on their morals
A judge will review requests to become emancipated on a case-by-case basis to ensure it is the right decision for the minor’s circumstances. The minor’s financial means are often a large factor in the judge’s decision.