Emancipation is the process of a parent giving up control over a minor child. An "emancipated" (freed) child has control over their own legal decisions and support before they are an adult (age 18). In New York, a parent must financially support a child until age 21 unless the child becomes emancipated.
What are the rights of an emancipated child under age 18?
The child can:
- keep their wages.
- live in their own home.
- go to school in their neighborhood.
- receive some public benefits.
- ask the court for child support if the parent forced them to leave home.
Last Reviewed: April 21, 2023