Age of Majority Virginia: 18 and Emancipated

The age of majority in Virginia is 18. This means that at age 18, individuals become legal adults and are responsible for their own decisions and actions. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, individuals who are married or have been emancipated by a court are considered legal adults, even if they are under the age of 18.

Emancipation

Emancipation is the legal process by which a minor (someone under the age of 18) is freed from the control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardians. In Virginia, minors can be emancipated by:

• Getting married
• Joining the military
• Being declared emancipated by a court

A court will only emancipated a minor if they find that the minor is mature enough to handle the responsibilities of adulthood and that emancipation is in their best interests.

Rights and Responsibilities of Legal Adults

Legal adults in Virginia have the following rights and responsibilities:

• The right to vote
• The right to enter into contracts
• The right to own property
• The right to marry
• The right to have children
• The responsibility to obey the law
• The responsibility to pay taxes
• The responsibility to support oneself

Consequences of Being a Minor

Minors who are not emancipated do not have the same rights and responsibilities as legal adults. For example, minors cannot:

• Vote
• Enter into contracts
• Own property
• Marry
• Have children
• Be held fully responsible for their actions

Age of Majority in Other States

The age of majority varies from state to state. In most states, the age of majority is 18. However, in some states, the age of majority is 19 or 21.

Table 1: Age of Majority in the United States

Conclusion

The age of majority is an important milestone in a person's life. It marks the time when they become legally responsible for their own actions. In Virginia, the age of majority is 18. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as minors who are married or have been emancipated by a court.