Legal Question in Family Law in Minnesota

Re: Emancipation of a minor or guardianship in Minnesota

We keep getting this question or similar questions over and over again. I note that few lawyers attempt to answer them.

I just spent some time at Westlaw researching this. It looks pretty murky. You are emancipated when you turn 18, get married, go on active duty with the military or when a court says you are emancipated.

I have heard of some cases where the juvenile court has "emancipated" a person under 18. My wife is a registered nurse and they see a few at the hospital who can sign their own authorizations for surgery. Nevertheless, they still have a social worker from the county keeping track of how they are doing and the jurisdiciton of the juvenile court is ongoing. In other words, the "emancipation" is conditional and limited and based on a court order, and the court keeps checking up on you.

My suggestion: make peace with your parents for now. You have little other choice except to go to one of the children's shelters which specializes in teenagers - such as The Bridge. I promise you that you won't like it there. They have rules, probably more than you have at home - and you can only stay there a limited time before you will be in the juvenile court system, which is no picnic either.

Good luck.

This response is for general information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are advised to seek the advice of the attorney of your choice concerning the details of your case.