Dunson v. Dunson

BOEHM, Justice.

This case addresses the emancipation of a minor child who is not under the care or control of either parent. We hold that for a child to be emancipated pursuant to Indiana Code section 31-16-6-6(b)(8), the child must not only be under the care or control of neither parent, but the child must also (1) initiate the action putting the child outside the parents' control and (2) in fact be self-supporting.

Facts and Procedural Background

Terry and Teresa Dunson were married September 27, 1980, and had three children: Chad, born December 25, 1980; Tony, born April 16, 1982; and Joshua,…