Being a parent opens us up to a whole range of emotions that we were not previously aware of. But at the base of all of them is a deep abiding love for your child. Unfortunately, he or she is seeking emancipation, without your consent. If you want to fight your child’s emancipation, please read on, then contact one of our skilled child emancipation attorneys in Bergen County, NJ to learn what you should know about child emancipation in New Jersey.
What you should know about child emancipation in New Jersey
Emancipation is the legal act by which a child is released from both the control and support of a parent. Practically speaking, this means that the parent can no longer make decisions for the child, and the child is no longer entitled to financial support from the parent. In the state of New Jersey, there is no bright-line rule as to what age emancipation occurs. That being said, a rebuttable presumption exists against emancipation prior to the child reaching the age of 18, i.e. the age of majority in New Jersey.
Why would your child seek emancipation in New Jersey?
Your child may seek emancipation for any of the following reasons, all of which are recognized by the state of New Jersey:
- The complete abandonment of the parental home
- The parents are not present or are not financially or physically caring for the minor
- The parents are abusing the minor or siblings
- The parents are not fulfilling their obligations as parents
How can a Bergen County child support lawyer help you?
If you or the child’s other parent do not agree that the child is independent or that support should end, the paying parent or parents will need to go to court and file a motion, i.e. legal paperwork, asking a judge to not emancipate the child and to continue support. While it is not legally required to engage a lawyer, reaching out to one of our skilled child support lawyers in Bergen County, NJ can make all the difference in the success or failure of your case. This is particularly true if one of the child’s parents is aiding in the child’s bid for emancipation for less than admirable reasons. A qualified legal professional will handle this sensitive matter with tact and compassion. Give yourself and your child the support you need. Call us today.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
