Emancipation in Missouri

Age of Emancipation in Missouri

Under Missouri House Bill 309, a minor must be at least 16 years of age to be emancipated. 

Legal Age of Emancipation in Missouri

Emancipation in Missouri is generally not an option for minors under the age of sixteen. In general, minors under the age of sixteen can not be gainfully employed and are not likely to be able to support themselves. Missouri House Bill 309 outlines the following requirements for emancipation in Missouri:

“A minor may petition the family or juvenile court of the county in which the minor resides or is temporarily domiciled for a judgment of emancipation. The petition shall set forth with specificity the following facts:

(1) The minor is at least sixteen years of age;

(2) The minor willingly lives separate and apart from the minor’s parents or guardian with the implied or express consent of the minor’s parents or guardian;

(3) The minor is managing his or her own financial affairs. As evidence of this, the minor shall complete and attach a declaration of income and expenses; and

(4) The source of the minor’s income is not derived from any activity declared to be a crime by the laws of this state or the United States.”

Emancipated in Missouri

Although emancipation in Missouri is not something to take lightly, the emancipation process for minors who wish to be seen as legal adults is fairly straightforward. Of course, the advice of an expert family law attorney like Summer Masterson-Goethals may be helpful, especially if the request is challenged.

How to Get Emancipated in Missouri

A minor who is looking for emancipation in Missouri from their parents or legal guardians must initially submit a petition with the family court system. The petition should consist of a legitimate reason for the emancipation request, information about their existing living situation and evidence that they are or will be financially self-sufficient. The parents will then be alerted and can challenge the emancipation petition if they wish to.

Emancipated Minor Missouri

Minors who are seeking emancipation should anticipate going to a unique hearing where a judge will examine the evidence and decide whether to approve the emancipation based upon the minor’s best interest. If the court grants the petition, the now-emancipated child will be given a Declaration of Emancipation. Copies of this document will be required anywhere that adult approval would otherwise be necessary.

Missouri Runaway Laws

Under Missouri law, a minor that runs away from their parents’ home without parental authority is considered a runaway. Once the minor leaves home, their parents can call the police and report them missing. While running away is not necessarily a criminal act, it is considered a status offense, which is a violation of the juvenile code which, if that same act were committed by an adult, would not be a violation of the law. The police will attempt to bring the minor home if he or she runs away. Repeat offenses may result in the child being held in a juvenile detention center. 

Teens who are considering running away have other options. Living on the streets is dangerous, and very few teens who have run away continue their education or find safe and legal work. Homeless teens often abuse drugs and alcohol, experience psychiatric and medical issues, and are victims of violent criminal offenses. 

If you are a teen who is considering running away from home, consider these safe, legal options instead:

• Returning home: Often, runaway teens return home within a couple of weeks. If you have run away and require assistance to return home, contact the local police or a homeless shelter.
• Guardianship: In guardianship proceedings, another adult who is not the parent of the child asks the court if they can have custody of the child until he or she turns 18. If the court grants the guardianship, the guardian will have much of the same obligations that parents typically have, such as providing shelter, food, and clothing to the child and ensuring that he or she attends school. In some guardianship arrangements, the child’s parents may still hold financial responsibility for the child.
• Dependency: In dependency proceedings, the court is designated as a child’s guardian, and makes choices about the child’s living arrangements. Frequently, the court or the state’s child protective services department can supply family reunification services like therapy, or they can choose to place the child in foster care. They may also supply the child with a Guardian ad Litem Missouri.
• Emancipation: In emancipation proceedings, a child 16 years of age or older asks the court to make them an adult under the law, which implies that they will be accountable for all of their own needs. Youth who are interested in emancipation must reveal that the results of emancipation are in their best interest, that they can lawfully support themselves, and that they will remain in school or acquire a GED. Emancipation in Missouri requires that the child’s parents agree to emancipation.

The subject of minor emancipation can understandably be upsetting for many parents, who typically want their children to remain under their care for as long as possible. When the topic of emancipation is brought up by a teenager, it’s common for parents to feel as if their child is slipping away much faster than they anticipated. 

Family law attorneys can help guide an in-depth exploration of emancipation with both children and their parents. An attorney consultation can either prompt teenagers to change their mind or further affirm their desire for emancipation. Regardless of the outcome, the guidance of a dedicated family law attorney can ensure that the emancipation efforts of the child proceed smoothly for all parties involved.