Other Family Issues

questions & answers

Question: I am a 16 year old girl. My father died three years ago and my mother is not around. I am currently living with my cousin,but no longer want to. What are my options?

Answer: On August 12, 2005, an Arizona law went into effect that permits minors who are at least 16 but not yet 18, to apply to be emancipated or to be declared legally an adult. The minor must prove they are financially self-sufficient and able to provide their own food, housing and medical care without parental assistance.
The law permits emancipation, contained in the Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) Section 12-2451, imposes numerous requirements to qualify for emancipation and defines the rights and responsibilities of the emancipated minor.

There is a filing fee for emancipation petitions, which is paid to the Clerk of the Court at the time the petition is filed. The party may request a deferral of fees at the time the petition is filed. The Clerk of the Court will either grant or deny this request based upon the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

You can find the forms for emancipation at: http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/JuvenileCourt/emancipation.asp

 EMANCIPATION - The legal term used to describe the point at which parents are no longer responsible for their children and children are no longer answerable to their parents. This usually occurs at the age of 18. However, emancipation may sometimes occur earlier if and when the parent and child have agreed to live independently, the child has joined the military, the child has married, or a court has granted an appropriate petition to declare a child emancipated. Emancipation also affects a child's legal rights and responsibilities.

You may want to seek the advice of an attorney.