In re Thomas C. – Emancipation of a Minor
In re Thomas C., 44 Conn. Sup. 437, 691 A.2d 1140 (1996).
NATURE OF THE CASE: This was an action for the emancipation of a minor.
FACTS: Thomas was sixteen years old and would not attend school, get a job, or follow house rules of his parents and relatives. Thomas’s family applied for emancipation in the hope that the threat of legal exile from the house would produce a wake up call.
ISSUE: Is the fact that a minor refuses to attend school, get a job, or follow house rules good cause for emancipation of a minor?
RULE OF LAW: No. The fact that a minor refuses to attend school, get a job, or follow house rules is not good cause for emancipation of a minor.
HOLDING AND DECISION: There is no doubt that this is an unfortunate and problematic case as Thomas is causing great problems for both himself and his family. Thomas cannot legally be compelled to attend school or to obey household rules but under the law his parents are still obligated to support and shelter him. The parents hope that emancipation will act as a legal wake up call but in all reality the legal remedy requested by the petitioners is not likely to do so. The court also finds that in its discretion it is not appropriate to grant emancipation based on the facts in this present case. Emancipation would be extremely detrimental to Thomas. Setting this learning disabled and obviously immature youth totally adrift without some realistic planning for his future needs would be courting a head on collision with disaster.
DISPOSITION: The petition is hereby denied.