Full question:
My friend’s dad is a lawyer. I met him to ask about how I can get emancipation and if he could help me in getting an order for the same. He says he will help me if I could possibly show in the court that I have some money to take care of my expenses once I start living independently. Do the courts look into such things while deciding emancipation cases?
- Category: Minors
- Date:
- State: Indiana
Answer:
Yes, the court may consider whether you have enough money to support yourself when deciding on emancipation. However, there are several other factors the court will evaluate:
- The court will assess if you genuinely wish to be free from your parents' control and no longer need their protection.
- It will ensure you understand the consequences of being emancipated.
- The court will want to see if you have a reasonable plan for living independently as an emancipated minor.
According to Indiana law (Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 31-34-20-6), the juvenile court can emancipate a child if it finds that the child:
- wishes to be free from parental control and protection and no longer needs that control and protection;
- has sufficient money for their own support;
- understands the consequences of being free from parental control and protection; and
- has an acceptable plan for independent living.
If the court grants emancipation, it will specify the terms, which may include suspending the parents' duty to support the child and the parents' rights to the child's earnings. The emancipated child retains responsibilities such as compulsory school attendance and the court's continuing jurisdiction.
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.