It would be wonderful if every couple could live happily ever after, every family could be a happy one. But we all know that just isn’t the case. We regularly face divorce and child custody issues in our practice. One type of case we see less but is just as impactful to a family is child emancipation.
Sometimes, young people under age 18 think they would be better off making decisions for themselves without involvement of a parent or legal guardian. That’s when they seek to be emancipated, meaning that they can be given the same rights of adulthood as an 18-year-old.
Many teenagers dream of living on their own, not realizing just how tough it is to be an adult. Sometimes there are good reasons to want independence. They include being married; being financially independent; living with parents who neglect or abuse you and being kicked out of the family home.
If you’re thinking about seeking emancipation, you’ll have to consider these issues.
In some states, you can be emancipated without going to court. In Pennsylvania, for instance, teens between ages 16 and 18 who are married automatically become emancipated. Or, teens who join the military at age 17, with parental permission, are emancipated.
If those do not apply to your situation, you can file in court for a declaration of emancipation. A court will consider whether you can support yourself, have a stable place to live, are mature enough, or are in school or have a high school diploma in deciding whether to grant the request.
If you are considering emancipation, our attorneys can answer any questions about the process and let you know what preparations you must make if you want to seek emancipation. Some teenagers realize they aren’t ready to make such a move after such a discussion. For others, it’s a viable option.
Carlisle, PA – The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) is pleased to announce that George B. Faller, Jr. of the law firm, Martson Law Offices, has successfully achieved recertification as a civil trial advocate. The NBTA was formed out of a strong conviction that both the law profession and its clients would benefit from […]
Christopher E. Rice of Martson Law Offices in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was recently elected School Board President of Saint Patrick School in Carlisle, PA! Chris has served on the school board for 6 years and has been involved in a variety of ways in the extracurricular activities offered by the school. Chris has been with Martson […]
George B. Faller, Jr., Shareholder at Martson Law Offices, has been selected to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list. No more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who […]
Martson Law Offices has been serving clients in Central Pennsylvania for more than six decades. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge you’d find at a big-city law firm, but we also have deep roots in the community and understands the legal issues facing our clients locally.
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