St. Louis Emancipation Lawyers
Emancipation is a legal process in which a minor child is freed from the control of their parents, and the parents are no longer held responsible for the child’s actions or well-being.
In Missouri, the normal age of emancipation is 18, but sometimes, a parent or child may desire to sever those ties earlier.
David was amazing in my case. He was very helpful and very informative and also very understanding. Easy to communicate with.
Mr Betz worked with both of us for us with our mediation, no matter how frustrating she was becoming. He handled the situation very calmly and professionally. Thank you for helping it come to a resolution.
I have worked with Mr. Betz a number of times and have always found him to be a wonderful GAL and mediator. He does the work, gets things done, and cares about the tasks and people involved. I highly recommend him as both a GAL and mediator.
I hired the services of David Betz for purposes of getting a name change and him and his paralegal Debbye were professional, answered emails promptly, and were able to handle a complication in my case with no problems. Would highly recommend Mr. Betz.
Mr. Betz is a knowledgeable and helpful straight shooter who truly cares about kids! Highly recommend.
The Betz Law Firm assisted my son with legally changing his name. They were extremely easy to work and very helpful!!!
David Betz and Debbye Lasky were both wonderful to work with and accomplished what I needed done.
David was very professional and helpful for our child during a recent litigation. I would highly recommend his firm for GAL service or attorney service!
Fair Guardian Ad Litem who has walked a tightrope of a custody case
I was very impressed with Mr. Betz’s service. He was the GAL for my children. He was very professional, fair-but-caring and advocated tireless for the children’s best interests. He took his time to talk to them about their wishes, giving us sound advice and guided us through an otherwise contentious process. I appreciated his professionalism, ethics and would highly recommend him.
My son and I have worked with David Betz for several years in custody matters concerning my grandson. I have found him to be genuinely concerned with our situation and responsive to our needs. He listens carefully and handles matters promptly. He is realistic in evaluating situations and helps us to arrive at the best possible alternatives. I highly recommend him for family law matters.
I am a transfeminine nonbinary person that used The Betz Firm to get my name changed. They were extremely affirming, and excited to work with me through this as it was an immensely huge deal for me. Thank you Betz Firm, for making this a reality for me!
Joel and David are extremely helpful and helped with everything I needed. They are kind and worked with me with all of my needs regarding my case! I would recommend to everyone!
David was phenomenal in helping me secure protection and safety for myself and my daughter during the divorce and custody case. We ultimately prevailed at the end with 100% custody and a judgement in favor of the petitioner for support, with heavy stipulations in place for visitation. David by your side in the courtroom is a sure fire win. Place your bets on Betz!
David was super helpful in getting all of my questions answered. He was kind and patient while I explained the situation I was dealing with, and outlined numerous options and avenues that I had as choices. He didn't sugar coat things and was honest where he thought struggles would appear in the case, and talked through best and worst case scenarios. He also was nice enough to offer additional phone calls if more questions came up while choosing how to move forward with the case. I would highly recommend talking to David about your case if you need a family lawyer, as it's obvious that he is kind, and extremely knowledgeable about family law and the complications it can involve.
The Betz Firm has handled all of our family law needs. They are an impressive team to work with and they have the ability to find the best solution for their clients.
I have all the world to say about this man. He helped me piece my life back together.
David Betz took the time to answer all of my questions and was very kind, thoughtful, considerate, and most importantly of all knowledgeable. I very much appreciated his time and help!
The staff is very professional and friendly and comforting to their clients (the children). They definitely put us all at ease during an uncomfortable time.David himself is very easy to talk to, and both of my kids really liked him. I am very impressed with their involvement in our case. He has been easy to work with and good at getting back to us in a timely manner with issues regarding our case.I would highly recommend his office to anyone in need of legal help for their children.10 months later...I wanted to add, we have been in this case for 22 months and it’s about to wrap up. David has been amazing. My 16 year old daughter had kind of lost her faith in the system and in adults - David really worked with her and helped hold her accountable, but also gave her a voice, great advice, and really won her over. She really trusts him. When she was struggling, she would ask to call David. When I was struggling with her, I would threaten to call David and she would become more agreeable. She really trusts and respects him. Which for me, takes a unique skill set. Not everyone can get an unhappy teen to comply and also still keep their trust and respect. My son loved David too. Both kids looked forward to our apts with David. Which when you are fighting a child support/ custody case and your drained, it’s so nice to have parts of the process be so easy and helpful. And that’s what we got from David and his staff.David has offered to be available if he can help after the case with questions or getting a teenager in line. They were understanding and more than fair with my payment options. Joel, his assistant- is a joy to talk to and prompt to respond and he chatted with the kids and put them at ease in a very uncomfortable situation. I can’t say enough good things about them.We drive past their office every day on the way to school and my daughter said she wanted to stop by and take David a Christmas present. That’s pretty impressive for a 16 year old.They really made a very unbearable situation so much better; David even made us smile and laugh during a very nerve wracking time.I would highly recommend them to anyone. Definitely 5 plus stars!
David helped me successfully navigate through a challenging legal scenario, where timely direction and counsel were paramount to a positive outcome. He quickly understood the issues at hand, provided very practical advice, all the while demonstrating his firm understanding of the law. Just as importantly, his advice was grounded in how the practical application of that knowledge would lead to a positive outcome. He was easy to talk with, a focused listener, honest, and it was obvious that he was not out for his own gain. It was nothing short of a positive experience from start to finish!
I retained David Betz for my divorce and very happy with how things turned out. David and his team went straight to work and kept me updated every step of the way. If you looking for someone to get the job done, then look no further. Thank You David and Joel for all you have done for me!!
I felt comfortable with David and was always treated with respect and listened to.
Such a great experience working with David. He truly was looking after my child's best interest and that's what it's all about. But he also was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and explained everything so that even my 7 year old could understand. Well done.
David is a great person and lawyer. He was on top of the situation instantly also very professional. I would recommend him to anyone that wants not only a lawyer but a friend he listened to my concerns and took action thats what I like about him. Thanks David ! My life is forever changed !
David actually cared and unlike most attorneys, did not try to take as much as possible. I am satisfied and got everything I needed.
David Betz is professional and is very to the point! He knows the law and helps to get you a fair deal. He helped me get 50 percent custody of my kids and my home back from my ex. His staff are very knowledgeable and helpfully as well! I highly recommend him to anyone going though a custody battle!
I was in a very tough spot legally with a family situation. David was able to help me out and I got much more than I ever expected from the court. I give David the highest possible rating!!! He will do what is necessary to help you with your family law situation.
David Betz is very kind and will answer any questions you have regarding your case in a timely manner. I highly recommend him.
Really listened and provided solid advice and assistance. Always made himself available and never rushed our meetings. He really cared about our outcome, I felt like a friend rather than a client. A great attorney and true professional.
The emancipation laws in St. Louis are of particular importance to parents who are receiving child support from a non-custodial parent. While some child support orders cease when the child becomes automatically emancipated on their 18th birthday, many will continue if the supported child attends college or another secondary schooling beyond that time.
The financial support for children who suffer from mental or physical disabilities can also be extended past the age of 18. Our firm can help a custodial parent petition for an extension of support in these special circumstances.
When is a Child Considered to be Emancipated?
A child can be considered emancipated in St. Louis County in different ways. Besides reaching their 18th birthday, a minor is considered emancipated if:
- They enter into military service. This includes all branches of the United States Military.
- They have gotten married. While consent from the parents is required in Missouri for a minor to be legally married, that minor is considered emancipated once they are.
- The child voluntarily becomes emancipated. A minor of at least 16 years of age can petition a Missouri court for emancipation from their parents. Our firm’s emancipation lawyers have helped children and parents with these proceedings.
What is Emancipation?
Parents are legally and financially responsible for their children until they have become emancipated. This includes providing food, shelter, education, and health care. Once a child has become emancipated, they are responsible for caring for all that on their own.
An emancipated child has rights similar to that of an adult. Without parental permission, they can:
- Sign legal documents and enter into legally binding contracts. This allows them to sign rental agreements and apply for credit.
- Pick their own educational path. An emancipated minor is allowed to choose which school to attend.
- Be a defendant or plaintiff in civil court proceedings.
- Keep any income earned from a job and carry a work permit.
There are still some limits on what emancipated minors are allowed to do. For example, they cannot quit school, purchase or drink alcohol, vote, or get a driver’s license before they reach the proper age.
How to Obtain Emancipation
In St. Louis, a minor seeking emancipation from their parents must first file a petition with the family court system. The petition must include a valid reason for the emancipation request, details about their living situation, and proof that they are or will be self-sufficient financially. The parents will then be notified and have the right to dispute the emancipation petition. Our team of family law attorneys can help both sides come to a reasonable solution.
Minors seeking emancipation should expect to attend a special hearing, where a judge will review the evidence and make a decision based on the child’s best interests. If the petition is granted, the newly emancipated child will be issued a Declaration of Emancipation. Copies of this legal document will be needed wherever parental consent was previously necessary.
Emancipation and Child Support
If a minor child does become an emancipated adult before reaching their 18th birthday, child support payments will not stop automatically. The paying parent must request a change in support and present evidence to prove that the minor is now living as an independent adult.
These are complex issues in the family court system that require special care and attention to resolve. As experienced emancipation lawyers, our firm is well advised of all the legalities involved in emancipation in St. Louis and its implications for child support payments. We have the experience necessary to ensure that the issue is resolved to the satisfaction of all the parties involved.
St. Louis Emancipation Lawyers
Making changes in support and custody orders is not a simple process, even with an emancipated minor. Those orders were drawn after very careful consideration from a St. Louis judge and were put in place to protect your child’s interests. As a firm specializing in family law, we deeply respect and understand these issues and always put the child’s well-being above anything else.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney
Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families navigate life-changing events.
