Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

Emancipation means that the teen is found to have sufficient maturity and intelligence to be independent from her parents. It requires a finding of fact by a judge or jury and a court order based on the finding of fact. There is typically a hearing where a judge would hear evidence on the topic of the child's maturity and intellect. It's not hard for a parent who loves this child to discuss objectively and in a compelling manner, the child's maturity level or lack thereof. The decisions being made by a teen often reveal the teens maturity level. On the flip side, if you are the teen, and you know your parents will not give you emancipation, you can go two ways. File a petition for emancipation for yourself in with the local court and set a hearing, then have your parents served. You may obtain the assistance of relatives who know you and your maturity level, and are able to discuss this topic.