EMANCIPATION

The freeing of a minor child from the control of his/her parents and allowing the minor child to live on his/her own.  Usually adolescents who leave the parent's household by agreement or demand are emancipated.

Emancipation may also end the responsibility of the parents for the acts of the minor child, including, but not limited to, debts, negligence or criminal acts.  In some cases, emancipation ends an obligation of a divorce parent to pay child support.

Emancipation may occur pursuant to an agreement, a court order or when a minor child marries or enters the armed forces.