Emancipation

At the age of 18, a person legally becomes an adult. A minor can also be given the rights of an adult by getting married, serving in the military, or having a judge grant her the rights to become emancipated. A minor is not automatically emancipated by having a baby. Texas law allows a teen parent to make all decisions regarding the minor's child.

Technically, Texas does not have an emancipation law. Instead, it has a law called “Removal of Disability of Minority,” in the Texas Family Code. A minor must be at least 16 to apply for emancipation. She may apply in a local court for some types of legal restrictions to be removed. She may ask to be allowed to sign her own lease, or enroll herself in school. If granted, a minor can act as an adult and make certain decisions on her own without her parents.

One of the services provided by Jane's Due Process is to ensure that pregnant teens seeking to become emancipated have appropriate legal representation.

For more information on the emancipation services provided by Jane's Due Process for pregnant teens, visit the emancipation topic in the information for pregnant teens section.

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