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Age of Majority and Emancipation in Michigan

In Michigan, a person becomes an adult at 18, and a minor can petition the family division of circuit court for emancipation, which requires the minor to be at least 16.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Michigan at a glance

Age of majority
18
A court may still order support past 18 under certain support statutes.
Emancipation by court petition
Yes
Emancipation also occurs by operation of law, for example on active military duty or a valid emancipation under another state's laws.
Minimum age to petition
16
The court must find the minor is at least 16 before issuing an emancipation order.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Michigan

What is the age of majority in Michigan?

Age of majority in Michigan: 18. A court may still order support past 18 under certain support statutes.

Does Michigan have a statute that lets a minor petition a court for emancipation?

Yes. Emancipation by court petition in Michigan: yes. Emancipation also occurs by operation of law, for example on active military duty or a valid emancipation under another state's laws.

How old must a minor be to petition for emancipation in Michigan?

Minimum age to petition in Michigan: 16. The court must find the minor is at least 16 before issuing an emancipation order.

Where do the Michigan age of majority laws come from?

The rules above come from MCL 722.52, MCL 722.4 and MCL 722.4c. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

MCL 722.4, which lists when emancipation occurs by operation of law, was most recently amended by 2023 PA 73.

What this means in practice

The age of majority is not the same as every age limit in the law. Separate rules can set the age for drinking alcohol, buying tobacco, making a will, marrying without consent or ending child support, so check the specific rule that applies to the question you have.

Emancipation usually requires a court petition and proof that the minor can support and manage themselves. A court order may grant full adult status or only specific rights, and it can end a parent's duty of support. Read the order and the statute together to see exactly what changes.

Documents signed for a minor, such as a medical consent form or a power of attorney for a child, generally stop being needed once the child reaches the age of majority. Contracts signed by a minor may be voidable, so adults dealing with minors often ask a parent or guardian to sign as well.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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