Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.4e (2026)

Rights and responsibilities of emancipated minor; obligation and liability of parents.

✓ current as of July 2026

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STATUS OF MINORS AND CHILD SUPPORT

Act 293 of 1968

722.4e Rights and responsibilities of emancipated minor; obligation and liability of parents.

Sec. 4e.

(1) A minor emancipated by operation of law or by court order has the rights and responsibilities of an adult, except for those specific constitutional and statutory age requirements regarding voting, use of alcoholic beverages, and other health and safety regulations relevant to him or her because of his or her age. A minor is considered emancipated for the purposes of, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) The right to enter into enforceable contracts, including apartment leases.

(b) The right to sue or be sued in his or her own name.

(d) The right to establish a separate domicile.

(e) The right to act autonomously, and with the rights and responsibilities of an adult, in all business relationships, including, but not limited to, property transactions and obtaining accounts for utilities, except for those estate or property matters that the court determines may require a conservator or guardian ad litem.

(f) The right to earn a living, subject only to the health and safety regulations designed to protect those under the age of majority regardless of their legal status.

(g) The right to authorize his or her own preventive health care, medical care, dental care, and mental health care, without parental knowledge or liability.

(h) The right to apply for a driver license or other state licenses for which he or she might be eligible.

(i) The right to register for school.

(j) The right to apply to the medical assistance program administered under the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, if needed.

(k) The right to apply for other public assistance, administered under the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, if needed.

(l) The right, if a parent, to make decisions and give authority in caring for his or her own minor child.

(m) The right to make a will.

(2) The parents of a minor emancipated by court order are jointly and severally obligated to support the minor. The parents of a minor emancipated by court order are not liable for any debts incurred by the minor during the period of emancipation.

History: Add. 1988, Act 403, Eff. Mar. 30, 1989 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 73, Imd. Eff. July 12, 2023

PopularName Notes:

Emancipation of Minors Act

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2010–2025 · leading case: Grange Ins. Co of Michigan v. Edward Lawrence, 494 Mich. 475 (Mich. 2013).

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Grange Ins. Co of Michigan v. Edward Lawrence, 494 Mich. 475 (Mich. 2013). · cites it 6× “” MCL 722.4e(1)(d). 54 See Holyfield, 490 US at 48 (“[Generally, a child’s] domicile is determined by that of their parents.”

Woodman v. Kera LLC, 785 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 2010). · cites it 2× “[25] MCL 722.4e(1)(a) states: A minor shall be considered emancipated for the purposes of, but not limited to, all of the following: (a) The right to enter into enforceable contracts, including apartment leases.”

In re Beck, 793 N.W.2d 562 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 722.4e(2). Additionally, the parental duty to support would cease by operation of law when a child is legally adopted.”

Auto. Club Ins Ass'n v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins Co (Mich. 2013). · cites it 3× “” MCL 722.4e(1)(d). 54 See Holyfield, 490 US at 48 (“[Generally, a child’s] domicile is determined by that of their parents.”

Memberselect Ins. Co. v. Dominic Keith Frazer (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “Quoting MCL 722.4e(1)(d), the Court noted that “[o]ur Legislature has recognized that unemancipated minors lack the necessary legal capacity to acquire a domicile of choice by expressly granting emancipated minors ‘the right to establish a separate domicile.”

in Re Beck Minors (Mich. 2010). “MCL 722.4e(2). Additionally, the parental duty to support would cease by operation of law when a child is legally adopted.”

— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.4e(1)(a) — 1 case

Woodman v. Kera LLC, 785 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 2010). “[25] MCL 722.4e(1)(a) states: A minor shall be considered emancipated for the purposes of, but not limited to, all of the following: (a) The right to enter into enforceable contracts, including apartment leases.”

— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.4e(1)(d) — 3 cases

Grange Ins. Co of Michigan v. Edward Lawrence, 494 Mich. 475 (Mich. 2013). “” MCL 722.4e(1)(d). 54 See Holyfield, 490 US at 48 (“[Generally, a child’s] domicile is determined by that of their parents.”

Auto. Club Ins Ass'n v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins Co (Mich. 2013). “” MCL 722.4e(1)(d). 54 See Holyfield, 490 US at 48 (“[Generally, a child’s] domicile is determined by that of their parents.”

— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.4e(2) — 2 cases

In re Beck, 793 N.W.2d 562 (Mich. 2010). “MCL 722.4e(2). Additionally, the parental duty to support would cease by operation of law when a child is legally adopted.”

in Re Beck Minors (Mich. 2010). “MCL 722.4e(2). Additionally, the parental duty to support would cease by operation of law when a child is legally adopted.”

— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.4e(l)(a) — 1 case

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