Emancipation in New York and Pennsylvania

how old do you need to be to emmancipate in nyc & pa? are there any exceptions to the age requirements?

The Juvenile Law Center provides a lot of information on emancipation in Pennsylvania.

It is my understanding that New York does not have a law which provides for emancipation. (That is, unlike in most states, there is no mechanism by which a minor can go to court and formally petition to be declared an emancipated minor.) However, it is also my understanding that New York courts will recognize the status of an emancipated minor, assuming that the minor meets the essential elements of being emancipated.

Those required elements are:

• * The minor must be aged 16 or older;
  * The minor must reside independently of his or her parents;
  * The minor must be self supporting (although public assistance or court-ordered child support payments made to the minor would not disqualify the minor from being recognized as emancipated);
  * The minor must not be in need of or receipt of foster care; and
  * The minor must be living beyond the custody and control of his or her parents.