Hello. I have a question about the Indiana emancipation law. We have a 17 yr old son, who will be 18 in October. He will graduate from high school the following May. This yr he has become quite defiant and we have had enough of him. We would like to consider emancipation in case he gets into some legal problems. Or, if he decides to go to college, I know he will plan on living with the particular girl who we do not approve of. We have told him we will not help with college should he chose to do this. What are our options? Thank you.

Hello. I have a question about the Indiana emancipation law. We have a 17 yr old son, who will be 18 in October. He will graduate from high school the following May. This yr he has become quite defiant and we have had enough of him. We would like to consider emancipation in case he gets into some legal problems. Or, if he decides to go to college, I know he will plan on living with the particular girl who we do not approve of. We have told him we will not help with college should he chose to do this. What are our options? Thank you.


He will be legally emancipated at 21. He can apply for emancipation at 18. At any time you can attempt to declare him a person in need of supervision - or whatever it's called in your County - and remove any legal responsibility you have for him. I would consult with an Attorney for this.

You are under an obligation to basically provide food and shelter - you are under no obligation to provide him with a college education.

I am deliberately offering no personal advice because you asked a legal question.

Ok in Indiana... even though you will find it says 21 he can be on his own at 18 with out having to go to court. Any legal problems he gets himself into after turning 18 will be completely on him not on you. While the school will still need signatures and what not from you... when it comes to him being arrested for anything it will be him on trial not you.

Ok in Indiana... even though you will find it says 21 he can be on his own at 18 with out having to go to court. Any legal problems he gets himself into after turning 18 will be completly on him not on you. While the school will still need signatures and what not from you... when it comes to him being arrested for anything it will be him on trial not you.



Stinawords - you are entitled to slap me. I REPEATEDLY forget you are in Indiana and the info on the Internet (for whatever reason) is wrong and has never been corrected.

Ignore me - believe her. She's right. I'm wrong.

(Sorry - slinking away. I'm off to write "Stinawords lives in Indiana" 100 times.)

Lol Its true I don't know why all these sites keep saying 21. I could come up with a thousand possiblilities as to "it could be because..." but they would all be somewhat ridiculous. There is a huge contradiction when it comes to HS because a person (if held back a few times) could turn 20 right before they graduate and while for all medical and legal papers they would have to sign for themselves they need a parents signature on any detention or field trip form. Silly things like are probably why it hasn't been changed but again I could be wrong I don't make the web sites just correct the info every now and then when people get confused. :)