My stepsister is 16 and pregnant, she is living with her boyfriend in mammoth, az for the past two years even though she is legally to be living with her mother. Is she considered an emancipated adult?
Emancipation may occur during minority primarily by an act or omission of the parent and it cannot be accomplished merely by the act of the child alone. The emancipation may be partial or complete, and if only partial, it will free the child for only a part of the period of his minority or from only part of his parents’ rights or for some special purpose, such as the right to earn and spend wages earned by the minor. However, if the emancipation is complete, it completely severs the parental relationships so as far as all legal rights and liabilities. The emancipation can be done expressly by the parent freely and voluntarily agreeing with the child who is then able to take care and provide for himself, that he may leave home, earn his own living and do as he pleases with his earnings. A contract to this effect may be done in writing or orally. It should be pointed out that the establishment of a separate place of abode by the minor may be evidence of emancipation and proof of the pare
