What is emancipation?
Emancipation means that you are treated as an adult even though you are less than 18 years old. The term “emancipation” is used to describe the point in time when children are legally separated from parents or guardians, and parents are no longer responsible for their children. Once emancipation occurs, parents do not have to give permission for anything that their child may want to do, such as where they choose to live or go to school. However, parents also no longer have to provide their child with any support or necessities like food, shelter or medical care.
In Oregon, emancipation occurs automatically under certain circumstances. For example, as soon as a person turns 18 years of age, they legally become an adult and is emancipated from their parents. In addition, if a minor legally gets married, they become emancipated. Finally, a minor may become emancipated by the Juvenile Court. Find more information on how to become emancipated, and your rights and responsibilities after you are emancipated in this document and on the Multnomah County Website.
Please note that this guide is not offered as legal advice. Clients should always discuss their questions and obtain legal advice from their attorneys.