Overview

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. However, 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 years old 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. We will call this process emancipation.

Once a minor has been emancipated, she is responsible for her own care. She must have a place to live, maintain a job or other source of monthly income, and pay for her own health care and insurance. The minor is also responsible for debts and payments for any property damage. An emancipated minor may no longer be considered a juvenile in criminal courts.

Jane's Due Process provides free legal services to pregnant teens seeking emancipation. To learn more, call 1-866-www-jane or 1-866-999-5263. If you are not pregnant and are interested in emancipation, visit the resources page for other organizations that can assist you.

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