New York Emancipation of Minor Law

Minors – Emancipation of Minor – New York

The State of New York does not have an emancipation statute available or a court proceeding to remove the disability of minority. Rather, the status of a youth will turn on the specific facts of the case.

According to caselaw, in the State of New York “emancipation” has been defined as the renunciation of parental rights to a child. Gittleman v. Gittleman, 81 A.D. 2d 632, 438 N.Y.S. 2d 130 (2d Dept. 1981); Wayne County Dept. of Soc. Serv. v. Schultz, 81 Misc. 2d 603, 366 N.Y.S. 2d 845 (Fam. Ct. Wayne County 1975).

Also a minor is considered emancipated if the following events have occurred:

1) He or she is married. Cochran v. Cochran, 196 N.Y. 86, 89 N.E. 470 (1909); Matter of Williams, & 106 Misc. 2d 280, 431 N.Y.S. 2d 334 (Fam. Ct. Monroe County 1980); Bach v. Long Island Jewish Hospital, 49 Misc. 2d 207, 267 N.Y.S. 2d 289 (Sup. Ct.Nassau County 1966).

2) He or she is in the armed services. Zuckerman v. Zuckerman, 154 A.D. 2d 666, 546 N.Y.S. 2d 666 (2d Dept. 1989); Fauser v. Fauser, 50 Misc. 2d 601, 271, N.Y.S. 2d 59 (Fam. Ct. Nassau County 1966).

3) He or she has established a home and is financially independent. Roe v. Doe, 29 N.Y.2d 188, 272 N.E.2d 567, 324 N.Y.S.2d 71 (1971); Knoll v. Kilcher, 100 A.D. 2d 686, 473 N.Y.S. 2d 887 (3rd Dept. 1984); Giovagnioli v. Ft. Orange, 133 N.Y.S. 92 (3rd Dept. 1911); Rosemary v. George, 103 Misc.2d 1036, 427 N.Y.S.2d 553 (Fam. Ct. Dutchess County 1980); Bickford v. Bickford, 83 Misc. 2d 571, 371 N.Y.S. 2d 782 (Fam. Ct. Schenectady County 1975).

4) His or her parent has failed to fulfill parental support obligations and the minor seeks emancipation. Gittleman, 81 A.D. 2d 632, 438 N.Y.S. 2d 130; Murphy v. Murphy, 206 Misc. 2d 228, 133 N.Y.S. 2d 796 (Sup. Ct. Broome County 1954).