Emancipation of Minors

EMANCIPATION OF MINORS – CONNECTICUT
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WHAT IS EMANCIPATION OF MINORS?
Emancipation is the legal process that, under Connecticut law, gives a youth, age sixteen or seventeen, legal independence from his or her parents or guardians.

Youth who become emancipated will have legal rights and responsibilities including:

the right to control their own personal life
the responsibility to support themselves financially
the right to sign contracts in their own name

Because emancipation is usually irreversible, youth considering emancipation should consider the effects of emancipation on themselves, their parents or guardians, and their family. Each youth should discuss emancipation with an attorney. A more detailed explanation of emancipation can be found in Connecticut Law About Emancipation, by CT Judicial Law Branch Law Libraries

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR EMANCIPATION?

To be emancipated in Connecticut the youth must be at least sixteen years old and also must meet at least one of the following conditions:

must be in a valid marriage whether or not that marriage has been terminated by dissolution
must be serving in the United States armed forces
must be living apart from your parents or guardian and be managing your own finances
the court must determine that an emancipation is in the best interests of you, or your parents, or your minor child if you have one.

HOW DOES A YOUTH BECOME EMANCIPATED?
Either the youth seeking emancipation, or his/her parents, can start the emancipation process. The person who starts the process files, or has a lawyer file, an emancipation petition with juvenile or probate court for the town where the youth or either of the parent(s) or guardian(s) live. If the youth seeking emancipation needs a lawyer to start this process, or to defend himself/herself, and cannot afford one, the juvenile court may appoint a lawyer at no charge. There will be a meeting (or hearing) in front of a judge to discuss the emancipation petition. Only the judge can order the emancipation.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service names:

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SOURCE: Emancipation of minor: Connecticut General Statute, Sec. 46b-150
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2024