Legal Question in Family Law in Mississippi

Re: how old do i need to be

Need to be old enough to take care of your needs for food, clothing, shelter, physical and financal safety, and your education. It is different for every person.

Emancipation sounds good, but it is in fact removing very important legal protections against loss of rights and predators.

The most common grounds for emancipation are found in Miss. Code Annot. (1972) 93-11-65. It states in part for purposes of ending child support payments:

(8) The duty of support of a child terminates upon the emancipation of the child. The court may determine that emancipation has occurred and no other support obligation exists when the child:

(a) Attains the age of twenty-one (21) years, or

(b) Marries, or

(c) Discontinues full-time enrollment in schoolhaving attained the age of eighteen (18) years, unless the child is disabled, or

(d) Voluntarily moves from the home of the custodial parent or guardian, establishes independent living arrangements, obtains full-time employment and discontinues educational endeavors prior to attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years, or

(e) Joins the military and serves on a full-time basis, or

(f) Is convicted of a felony and is incarcerated for committing such felony, or

(g) Cohabits with another person without the approval of the parent obligated to pay support.

However, upon turning 18 years old, the minor has the right to enter his or her own contracts affecting personal property and to vote.

Lastly, a chancellor has the power to remove a minor's disability of minority (emancipation) before the child attains the age of 21 years, and it is not uncommon for the court to remove the disability along the coast to assist some with attaining employment.