Full question:
I am 14 years old and have been into gaming professionally since I was 11 years old. I live with my parents in San Francisco. I go to a private school and I don’t like it there. I want to quit school and focus on gaming for now and my parents are dead against it. I have heard that I can get emancipated from my parents in California because I am 14 years old now. Can I get an emancipation and leave school?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Emancipation of Minor
- Date:
- State: California
Answer:
You may be able to get emancipated from your parents in California, but you cannot opt out of school. In California, the minimum age for emancipation is 14, but age alone is not enough. You must demonstrate that you can support yourself, live independently, and are not earning income from illegal activities. If you meet these criteria, a court may grant your emancipation.
Regarding school, California's Compulsory Education Law requires students to attend school full-time until they are sixteen years old (Cal. Educ. Code § 488). To leave school at sixteen, you need to pass the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or obtain your parents' consent. If you cannot meet these conditions, you must stay in school until you turn eighteen.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.