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Question:

I live in Arizona, is there no possibility of me requesting legal emancipation without parental consent?



Answer:

Read more about Emancipation in the Laws section of this website.

Arizona law makes your parents responsible for your well-being until you turn 18 years old.

 The only exceptions to this are if you are legally married (if you are under 18, parents must approve of you being married) or join the military (parents must usually give their approval if you join the military before you are 18).

In cases where parents are not providing for your well-being (like cases of abuse or neglect), the state government can sever a parent's rights. This means that due to evidence of abuse or neglect of a child, the state declares that a parent is not fufilling their legal responsibility to provide for a child's well-being. In cases such as this, a parent's rights over a child may be severed.

This is not emancipation though, as the child is taken care of by the Arizona foster care system until they are 18.
Comments
21 thru 25 of 29 comments
On 08/07/02
Debbie from AZ said:
Maybe the parents just do not know how to be good parents.
On 07/12/02
Brandy from AZ said:
I think that if a child is able to take care of the needs that they have they should be allowed to leave home before the age of 18. Many so called children work 40 hours a week and are very capable of taking care of their own wants. I have my own bank account and work 40 hours a week and bring in more than enough money to take care of myself, yet because of the laws here in Arizona I am unable to leave home until I am of age. Altough I disagree with this law and cant stand living at home, theres nothing I can do about the situation other than count down the days until I am 18 years of age. So,
On 06/09/02
J.T. from AZ said:
if those are the only ways for someone to be emancipated then what about what it says on this site. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/42leg/1r/bills/sb1218p.htm

Editor's Note:
The link above refers to a bill that the Arizona Legislature considered in 1996, but did not pass. In order for a bill to pass into law, both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate must approve the bill, and it must be signed by the Governor.
On 05/17/02
Maria from AZ said:
I have a sister who is 17, I feel that verbal abuse from a parent can be just as damaging as physical abuse. There are many parents that are iresponsible, controlling and careless with their children, in my sister's case she is more responsible than our parents. I can only hope that Arizona laws can change, so teenagers such as my little sister can have the opportunity to help themselves get out of horrible situations such as this one.
On 04/04/02
Britney from AZ said:
Darn girl i feel you i feel you.... but i do have some friends are 16-17 that are emancipted that live here in arizona.... i feel bad im just lucky to know the way i feel im not the only one.....
21 thru 25 of 29 comments


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