Emancipation From Non-Biological Parents in Texas

[Mogx21]

I've got a friend who is curious to see whether or not he can be emancipated.

He recently inherited 220,000 from a friend of his biological. He is 16 and living with his adoptive parents. His dad lives off disability and they're glassblowers who make under 20k a year, to my understanding. His money is invested in stock and has made 20,000 in the past 5 months, but it apparently isn't protected from his parents like the rest of the money. His dad took his car away and has threatened to take away his recent earnings. Obviously he has enough money to support himself and I was wondering if there was a way to move out without his parents permission or get himself emancipated when he turns 17.

[Mogx21]

Hm, is there anyway to protect his money until hes 18? Probably the wrong forum.

[Mr. Knowitall]

He can't emancipate until the age of 17 in Texas, unless he's already living separately from his parents, and he must be managing his own financial affairs:

Sec. 31.001. REQUIREMENTS.

(a) A minor may petition to have the disabilities of minority removed for limited or general purposes if the minor is:

(1) a resident of this state;

(2) 17 years of age, or at least 16 years of age and living separate and apart from the minor's parents, managing conservator, or guardian; and

(3) self-supporting and managing the minor's own financial affairs.

(b) A minor may file suit under this chapter in the minor's own name. The minor need not be represented by next friend.

Sec. 31.002. REQUISITES OF PETITION; VERIFICATION.

(a) The petition for removal of disabilities of minority must state:

(1) the name, age, and place of residence of the petitioner;

(2) the name and place of residence of each living parent;

(3) the name and place of residence of the guardian of the person and the guardian of the estate, if any;

(4) the name and place of residence of the managing conservator, if any;

(5) the reasons why removal would be in the best interest of the minor; and

(6) the purposes for which removal is requested.

(b) A parent of the petitioner must verify the petition, except that if a managing conservator or guardian of the person has been appointed, the petition must be verified by that person. If the person who is to verify the petition is unavailable or that person's whereabouts are unknown, the guardian ad litem shall verify the petition.

Sec. 31.003. VENUE.

The petitioner shall file the petition in the county in which the petitioner resides.

Sec. 31.004. GUARDIAN AD LITEM.

The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interest of the petitioner at the hearing.

Sec. 31.005. ORDER.

The court by order, or the Texas Supreme Court by rule or order, may remove the disabilities of minority of a minor, including any restriction imposed by Chapter 32, if the court or the Texas Supreme Court finds the removal to be in the best interest of the petitioner. The order or rule must state the limited or general purposes for which disabilities are removed.

Sec. 31.006. EFFECT OF GENERAL REMOVAL.

Except for specific constitutional and statutory age requirements, a minor whose disabilities are removed for general purposes has the capacity of an adult, including the capacity to contract. Except as provided by federal law, all educational rights accorded to the parent of a student, including the right to make education decisions under Section 151.003(a)(10), transfer to the minor whose disabilities are removed for general purposes.

Sec. 31.007. REGISTRATION OF ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE OR NATION.

(a) A nonresident minor who has had the disabilities of minority removed in the state of the minor's residence may file a certified copy of the order removing disabilities in the deed records of any county in this state.

(b) When a certified copy of the order of a court of another state or nation is filed, the minor has the capacity of an adult, except as provided by Section 31.006 and by the terms of the order.

In terms of protecting his inheritance, it's tricky. I would hope that the court which handled the distribution of the estate didn't just turn the cash over to his parents and say, "Do as you like." I would hope that there is some form of conservatorship in effect, with court supervision over the fund. But I have no way of knowing.