EMANCIPATION OF MINORS - CONNECTICUT

The information provided on the 211 eLibrary is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice.

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 A Teenager’s Guide to Emancipation, by Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut and 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 or have been married
• must be serving in the U.S. 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 parent or guardian lives. 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:

• Emancipation of Minors
• Legal Issues Education/Information
• Legal Representation

-----------------------------------------------------

SOURCE: Emancipation Procedures: Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research Report #2002-R-0008 
PREPARED BY: 211/kq
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2013