Age of Majority - for contracts and releases

[dai_hunter]

This question came up on another forum and I researched it for

general information. Hope you find it useful.

 

Many, many questions are asked here about personal / model releases -

which are a form of contract - some comments mention the necessity

for a parent or guardian to sign off for a minor. The question may be

asked, in any given state, as to what age is required for that

purpose and at what age someone can sign contracts on their own

behalf. You will notice that there is a range from 18 - 21 depending

on the state.

 

As this list is dated 1999, suggest that you also verify that it has

not changed on a case by case basis (IF there is any doubt).

 

Like sexual age of consent which may be lower in the same state then

these ages, re contracts, this list also does not reflect particular

law on such things as access to alcohol or gambling, ect., which may

be higher in the same state. Tis list concerns itself only with

contracts.

 

Suggest you download this and print it out rather then rely on it to

remain available on-line.

 

http://www.dod.mil/comptroller/fmr/07b/07bappxh.pdf

 

page title:

AGE OF MAJORITY (for contracts)

BY STATE & UNITED STATES POSSESSIONS

this is a one page printable PDF

[Jerry_]

Rather than rely on 'somewhat' old Department of Defense data,

one might do better by simply contacting the state attorney general's office [..for the state they are doing business in..] and get a more current answer.

 

 

 

 

One really does not want to go to court with DoD reference material for a defense. Contacting a lawyer in your city, town, or village can't be a bad idea either.

[dai_hunter]

All that information is available on-line by state - no lawyer required.

 

I did point out, however, that the list is not new and that it should be checked on a case by case basis. The list is only a starting point - but it does highlight several states where the age is thought to be over 18 (19 to 21).

 

The DoD uses that list to determine entitlements and benefits to military families with dependent children. If major changes have been made I would expect it to have been updated or annotated.

[J.W. Wall]

Or, for general information, you could go to the library (or your bigtime lawyer's offices) and look at the informational volumes of the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directories, published annually, which contain digests of each jurisdiction's laws.