Emancipation, Pregnancy and Marriage

[WaMom]

Hello!

We live in Washington state. We have a just turned 17-year-old daughter who just found out she is pregnant. They wish to get married (father is 18). It is my understanding that under 18 they must have parental consent to do so, is this correct? As well, if they were to marry, would she then be considered emacipated? Thank you so much.

[Mr. Knowitall]

A parent will have to accompany them when they apply for a marriage license. That parent will need valid ID. Marriage will result in emancipation.

[WaMom]

Thank you very much for your reply, I appreciate it. I am actually hoping they don't get married, they have enough to deal with at this young age without adding to the mix, but I suppose if they really want to, what are you going to do.

My daughter is trying to tell me that once you have a baby (if you're not married) then you're considered emancipated - do you happen to know if that's true in Washington? I can't seem to find any information on that. Thank you again.

[aaron]

That's medical emancipation, and relates to medical decision-making relating to her prenatal care, childbirth, and the child. But that's where it ends.

[cbg]

A lot of kids (and adults) mistake medical emancipation for legal emancipation.

[WaMom]

Okay I see, thank you very much. I'll have to dig into this further, it's getting very complicated. She has moved in with her father now, and I've just found out my insurance that she's been on for years won't cover her, so I really don't know what to do.

[panther10758]

The 17 year old cannot marry without parental consent. If you feel this is an error you can stop it. The 17 year old "will" become emancipated once married. She only becomes medically emancipated due to being with child. Thsi is often confused (see various threads here) as emancipation its not. You still hold parental authority (you and her Father) and she cannot move, marry etc without consent. If one of you consent to marriage the other may object

[mari_sergio]

W3LL TH3Y AR3 R3ALLY N0T SAPP0S3 T0 G3T MARRI3D.
W3LL IF SH3 IS PR3GNAT3 TH3N MAB3Y SH3 SH0ULD HAV3 H3R
0WN CH0IC3S N0W AND MAB3Y SH3 WILL ACTUALLY L3ARN THAT
SH3 WILL N33D YOU AND THAT MAB3Y YOU MIT3 B3 PR0UD OF H0W
MUCH SH3 CAN TAK3 CAR3 0F H3RS3LF? IM JUST SAYING MAB3Y YOU
SH0ULD L3T H3R D0 IT CAUSE IF SH3 D03SNT D0 IT THIS Y3AR SH3
WILL JUST D0 IT N3XT Y3AR AND MAB3Y SH3 W0ULD LIK3 T0 G3T MARRI3D
B3F0R3 SH3 HAS TH3 BABY?ITS S0M3THING YOU HAV3 T0 D3AL WITH
T00?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You're not txting your friends - you're talking to a bunch of old fogies.

Use standard English.