Full question:
I'm 16 years old and I still live with my parents in Dayton. I've dropped out of high school and I earn enough money through blogs and youtube videos to support myself. Am I emancipated?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Emancipation of Minor
- Date:
- State: Ohio
Answer:
In Ohio, minors remain under the control of their parents or guardians until they reach the age of eighteen, as stated in ORC Ann. 3109.01. Since you are only sixteen, you are still considered a minor and under parental control.
However, Ohio law does allow for emancipation, which is a legal process that lets minors live independently and be treated as adults. The court evaluates each case based on the minor's best interests. Factors considered for emancipation include:
- Financial stability to support oneself
- Ability to live separately from parents
- Maturity to make decisions
- Educational status (either attending school or having a diploma)
- Maturity to function as an adult and be responsible for one's actions
In your case, you cannot be considered emancipated because you do not have a court order granting you that status. Simply having an income or living independently does not automatically lead to emancipation.
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.