Emancipated Child
In New York State, a parent must financially support a child until the child turns 21 years old or becomes emancipated.
When a child is emancipated, it means that the child no longer lives with the parents and is self-supporting.
If the child is financially dependent on a parent, that child is not emancipated. A child who was once emancipated can become dependent again on the parents before turning 21 years of age.
In general, a child under 21 is emancipated if:
- The child is married.
- The child is in the military.
- The child finished 4 years of college.
- The child is 18 years old and working full-time (summer or vacation jobs don't count).
- The child permanently leaves home and ended the relationship with both parents for no good reason (except if the child left home because of abuse by a parent or a similar reason).
and/or
