questions & answers

Question: I am 17 & 7 month. I have been living with my uncle, my mom was charging me $400 a month because I am pregnant (my son will be born in 2 months) and I haven't been living with her since June she gets food stamps and a social security check for me. She doesn't care where I live but she gets all the benefits and I know I'm going to need as much help as I can get the & only thing she cares about is the money. My uncle has helped me more than anyone I was wondering if I could get emancipated given my age and that I've already graduated high school

Answer: The emancipation process may take some time. A.R.S. § 8-101 (http://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/8/00101.htm) defines a child to be anyone under eighteen years of age. Once you are over 18 you do not need to go through the emancipated process because you will legally be an adult. However if you cannot wait until you are eighteen, A.R.S. §12-2451 states a minor may file a petition with their county clerk for emancipation. (http://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/12/02451.htm). There are a number of requirements for a minor to be emancipated which can be found in the statute. For more information on emancipation visit the following website: http://lawforkids.org/emancipation.