What Emancipation Means

Arizona permits teens who are sixteen or seventeen to file a motion to become emancipated. An emancipated teen is legally free from their parents or legal guardian. Once emancipated a teen has many of the same rights and obligations as an adult.

A teen may apply to the court to be emancipated if they are at least sixteen, a resident of the state of Arizona, financially self-sufficient and not a ward of the court. The teen will also need to provide proof that they have been living on their own for at least three months, or provide a statement explaining why their home is an unsafe environment or provide a notarized document from their parents consenting to the emancipation.

Once a teen is emancipated, their parents are no longer financially responsible for the teen. The parents will not be required to provide health insurance, food, or clothing. Also, if the teen causes damage to another’s property, the parents cannot be held responsible.