Emancipation
Emancipation is the point at which a child is legally treated as an adult, ending a parent's child support obligation under a Florida case. In Florida, this normally happens when the child turns 18, but support can continue to 19 if the child is still in high school with a reasonable chance of graduating, or beyond 18 for a child with a serious disability that began before adulthood. A child may also emancipate earlier by marriage, military service, or court order.
Last updated June 21, 2026
Legal Definition
The termination of a minor's legal dependency and a parent's support duty, occurring by operation of law at majority (or age 19 if still in high school under F.S. §743.07) or earlier by marriage, enlistment, or judicial removal of disabilities of nonage.
Example
Once their son graduated high school at 18, he was considered emancipated and the monthly child support ended.
Related Statutes
- 743.07
- 61.13
Related Terms
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