One of the standard New Jersey family law child emancipation events is the entry of a child into the Armed Forces. In this case, the child graduated from high school, accepted a Military Scholarship and enrolled in the Army National Guard. Was he thereby legally emancipated? Thomas v. Thomas, New Jersey App. Div., August 31, 2015
This 20 year-old New Jersey daughter failed to rebut the presumption of her emancipation. She voluntary left her mother's home at the age of 20 to live with her biological father. She simply withdrew from her parents' supervision and control, obtained part-time employment, sporadically attended school and arranged for her support in reliance upon the financial relationship she entered into with her biological father and his wife. Thus, the New Jersey divorce judge correctly ruled she emancipated herself. Llewelyn, f/k/a Sewchuk v. Shewchuk, N.J. Super (App. Div. 2015; New Jersey App. Div., April 8, 2015
The 18 year old daughter, who graduated from high school and enlisted in the Armed Forces, was deemed emancipated, under principles of New Jersey family law. Schottel v. Kutyba, February 5, 2015
The New Jersey parents agreed to defer emancipation beyond the age of 18 to allow each child the reasonable opportunity to complete post-secondary higher education. They also agreed to a limited break in schooling, so long as the child diligently resumed a full-time course of study. These terms were fair and reasonable. Hadjikonstantinou v. Hadjikonstantinou, New Jersey App. Div., November 4, 2014
This New Jersey case involves the emancipation of a 29-year old child who has taken college classes for 11 years. Hollender v. Hollender et al., New Jersey App. Div., October 14, 2014
New Jersey honor student sues parents for school fees after they cut her off at age 18 : Rachel Canning claims her parents, Sean and Elizabeth Canning, threw her out of their Lincoln Park, New Jersey, home last year and stopped paying for her private high school, where she excelled as a cheerleader and lacrosse player. But Sean Canning, the father, says Rachel left voluntarily after she refused to abide by simple rules of the house. Morristown Daily Record, March 3, 2014
Because (a) the child was enrolled in and attending college and (b) the express language in the divorced parents' New Jersey agreement, the New Jersey divorce judge was correct in denying the application to emancipate the child. Turner v. Turner, New Jersey App. Div., February 11, 2014
If a child over 18 is living at home [because his employment income is insufficient] but attending college, he may be deemed emancipated under New Jersey family law principles. Gall v. Gall, New Jersey App. Div., March 11, 2013
Although a New Jersey divorce judge has the judicial power and discretion to emancipate a child and thereby terminate support payments, the failure to make appropriate findings of fact can render such a decision unenforceable. Ingling v. Dettore, New Jersey App. Div., January 10, 2013
In a case of first impression, this 18 year old daughter of divorced New Jersey parents hired a lawyer, went to court and successfully emancipated herself, over and against parental objection. Ort v. Ort, ___N.J. Super. ___(Ch. Div.); August 10, 2012