Most people know that in Illinois, the age of majority is 18, but it`s not always clear what it really means to become a legal adult. In fact, it means that you are both allowed to do more and more of the things that are expected of you. As you might expect, a legal adult means you have a number of new rights, including: * The right to vote. Although the ability to exercise this right requires registration, most adults can choose. * The right to conclude a binding contract. Examples of contracts that people sign every day include real estate leases, loan agreements (such as a car loan or student loan), and agreements with credit card issuers. * The right to sue for wrongs done to you in your own name. * The right to request and receive medical treatment without the consent of your parents. As an adult, it is believed that you are able to make informed decisions about your health. Responsibilities of adulthood With these new rights come new responsibilities. For example, your parents are no longer legally responsible for supporting you. Find a job! Just as you now have the right to sue others on your own behalf, they now have the right to sue you. This may include a lawsuit for child support because as an adult, you are required by law to provide for every child you give birth to.
If you are called, you may need to be part of a jury. While some people see jury duty as a chore to be avoided, our courts, both civil and criminal, would not function without jurors. If you are a man, you need to sign up for design. If you are over 18, you can enlist in the army without your parents` permission. Other important age groups A person over the age of 17 who commits a crime is charged as an adult. So when you reach the age of 18, you have more than a year when it comes to being charged with a crime. Illinois prohibits people under the age of 21 from drinking or possessing alcohol in a public place. Therefore, although you are an adult for most purposes, you cannot drink legally for another three years. The age of majority is defined as the age at which a person is considered to be of legal age.
An adult is held legally responsible for his or her own actions, such as signing a contract or committing a crime. Before reaching this age, a person is considered a minor child. Disability/incompetence | An incapacitated or incompetent person is a person who is determined by the courts to be unable to make “informed decisions” about their personal care or affairs because of a mental illness, physical illness, disability or other condition. These decisions may include decisions about the person`s finances, place of residence, education, professional programs, behavioural programs, medical or dental care, or legal issues. The degree of incapacity is a threshold issue that determines the level of guardianship granted. An overview of guardianship www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-legal-matters/hsgrp-power-of-attorney-guardianship/an-overview-of-guardianship-article.aspx The legal minimum age is also called the age of majority. This is the age at which a person acquires adult legal status. The minimum legal age is set by state laws and may vary from state to state.
However, almost all states set the legal minimum age at 18. This is the age at which a person takes control of their own actions and affairs and becomes responsible for the decisions they make. Those who have passed the legal age of majority are usually tried as adults if they are charged with crimes. Once this age is reached, all existing parental, parental and maintenance obligations are considered to have ended. However, minors may obtain the status of legal adult before reaching the age of majority if they obtain an emancipation order from the court or if they comply with legally established exceptions such as marriage as a minor or the acquisition of certain educational qualifications. | Guardianship Guardianship is “a court-ordered agreement under which a person is given the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person whom a court has found to be `incapable`.” A guardian may be dismissed or replaced by an application to the court.