[Sillylilly04]

Does anyone know about how emancipation works in Indiana? I've read some things that say child support/dependency ends at 18, and others that say 21. Of course, this depends on where you live, but information about Indiana says both.

Here's my problem: I'm 21 years old, in college, and listed as a dependent of my parents.
I want to be listed as independent, and I don't know if this occurs automatically when I'm 21, if I have to fill out an emancipation form, or if they need to not list me as dependent anymore, or what.

I would like to be listed as independent so that when I take out a college loan, I will be able to get more money. I heard that if you are listed as independent, it will still take a year of living on your own for this to work out. However, if I am 21 and no longer a minor, will it still take a year for me to be able to be recognized legally as independent? I would rather not drop out of school and wait for this to happen in a year.

Furthermore, I am thinking about getting married within the near future and wonder if this will have an effect on my being listed as a dependent of my parents. Does that mean I will be dependent upon my spouse and vice versa?

Basically, do I need to do something to get free of my parents having any responsibility for me legally, or does this not even matter now that I am 21?

If anyone knows about this, I would really appreciate some answers! Thanks for your time, though.

[ScottGem]

If you live at home and are a full time student and your parents provide more than 1/2 your support then they can claim you as a dependent. There is nothing you can do about that.

I think what you are referring to is the FAFSA filing. I would suggest that you talk to your financial counselors at your school about this. But emancipation is NOT what you are looking for.

[Fr_Chuck]

You can be much older and considered a dependent on your mom and dad's income tax, this is merely tax filing, and has nothing at all to do with being emancipated.

And as for as the 18 to 21 if there is a divorce and child support, this again, does not mean you are not emancipated, only that your custodial parent can get support to help you.

At 18 you are free to move out, not go to college, shave your head or anything that you want.
So you are automatically emancipated at 18.

What you are talking about is your tax status, of filing your taxes.

[Sillylilly04]

I do not live at home, and my parents have not been paying my school or rent fees for this year. I would like to continue to manage these things myself, as well as get married within the next year or two. This is why I was hoping to take out a loan to finish my last semesters of school, hoping to take out more of a loan than if I was still listed as a dependent. This is what I am asking. I know I will have to fill out the FAFSA forms again, but I'm wondering how my being filed as a dependent can change.
Thank you for your help, though.

[ScottGem]

If you did not live at home during 2007 and they did not provide 1/2 your support, then they cannot claim you as a dependent for 2007. Just make sure that they aren't doing it.

[Sillylilly04]

Thank you for your help! This makes sense. I will talk to them about it.