This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Emancipation of Minors issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Emancipation
Emancipation Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. Emancipation is the legal process by which minors can attain adult status under law before reaching the age normally considered adulthood. An emancipated minor is released from parental control, but an emancipated minor is never given the right to vote, drink alcoholic beverages or enjoy other privileges given by law to adults. (2026)
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Self Help Forms and Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the category listing that apply to your case to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Emancipation
Emancipation Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. Emancipation is the legal process by which minors can attain adult status under law before reaching the age normally considered adulthood. An emancipated minor is released from parental control, but an emancipated minor is never given the right to vote, drink alcoholic beverages or enjoy other privileges given by law to adults. (2026)
Emancipation of Minors
General informational on issues surrounding emancipation from Northwestern Legal Services, including school attendance and residency, medical consent, parental liability, public assistance benefits and support for minors. A Continuous Residence and Support Oath affidavit is available in PDF Format. See the explanation on use of this form in the text of this article. (November 2018)
Family Law Handbook
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions. (2026)
Emancipation
Information on the emancipation of a minor from the Erie County Bar Association. Emancipation is a process by which a child under the age of 18 reaches at least some level of legal adulthood. There are two sides to emancipation: (1) the ending of parental responsibilities to a minor child and (2) the transfer of rights and responsibilities of adulthood to a minor child. (February 2019)
Emancipation, or Living Away From Your Parents, in Pennsylvania
This resource from the Juvenile Law Center addresses some of the most common questions about living away from your parents. More information is contained is the full fact sheet which you can download from the web page. (2014)
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
The cost to record, or “file” documents such as the complaint, vary from the type of document, or pleading, to the county in which you begin your case. Some court filing costs may be in the hundreds of dollars. If you cannot afford to pay these fees to the court, you will need to complete this form, In Forma Pauperis, a Latin term, referring to someone who cannot pay.
Self Help Forms and Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the category listing that apply to your case to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice, but they can assist in filling out the forms. Use the forms on this page at your own risk – as they may or may not be appropriate in your particular case. It is strongly recommended you seek legal advice and obtain the services of an attorney. Litigants representing themselves are held to the same standards as attorneys admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing yourself does not exempt you from understanding and following state-wide and local rules of court.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms
Forms from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. Forms are available for the various divisions of the Court by clicking through the listings on the page.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.