What is a person who is under legal age, self-supporting, and living apart from their parents referred to as?

A person who is under legal age, self-supporting, and living apart from their parents is referred to as an emancipated minor. Emancipation is a legal status that allows a minor to live independently of their parents or guardians and to make their own decisions regarding personal and financial matters. This status can arise through various means, often requiring a legal process that may involve court approval.

Emancipated minors are granted many of the rights and responsibilities typically held by adults, such as entering into contracts, making medical decisions, and managing their finances. This is significant because minors generally lack the legal capacity to do these things without parental consent unless they are granted emancipation. The term reflects both their self-sufficiency and legal recognition of their ability to function independently from parental control.

Understanding this terminology is important, especially in contexts involving legal rights and responsibilities, as it highlights the distinction between those under parental authority and those who have achieved a level of independence recognized by law.