text: at what age are children able to be emancipated in the state of missouri? or, when can one choose? i was married, my ex was nuts and signed her daughter over to my dad who then adopted her. krazy, huh? ok, she wants to live with  me, although her mother and i are now divorced. i have a home w/ 2 extra bedrooms, and a steady income. i live in a good school district and a safe neighborhood. i'm getting conflicting answeres regarding when she can choose where she wants to live. some say 12, which she is now. some say 15, 16, or 17.   i may note here that i have observed my dad paying attention to her that to me is inappropriate.  she has told me as much, as well. "i hate it when she touches me like that. he does it all the time."  i called dfs, but they won't listen to me. they say i just want her back, but it is so much more than that, obviously.  please help, all the lawyers i've called don't want to get involved w/o a sizeable retainer. i just want advice. each state has their own laws in place for this sort of thing. but as far as your situation goes, it sounds like the court would hear a request for emancipation, especially if it is supported by you. you must remember though, emancipation not only frees the child from restrictions by the parents(or guardian in your case) but it frees the parents/guardians from burden of responsibility for the child. there is not a "set" age at which one can become emancipated, judges will rule based on the circumstances presented to them if an emancipation is appropriate or not. however there is a bar minimum, that is to say, a judge is not going to emancipate a 9 year old. just the same as a judge would not emancipate a 16 year old who wants to run off with her juvenile delinquent boyfriend to tijuana. you sound like you may have a case, if you can provide the judge with some evidence that you can properly care for your daughter, as well as your daughters testimony that she prefers to reside with you, than i think you can make a go at an emancipation. my advice is to hire a good lawyer and see what he thinks. hope this was helpful to you. also i may add as well, it might be a good idea to go to the d.a. with your daughter and have her explain to him or his assistant what you mentioned above about him touching her inappropriately. as well as file a police report. if he even touches her in what she deems to be a carnal way, then it is illegal. if the state decides they would like to pick up any charges on him, then your daughter would most likely be remanded to the custody of the parent deemed "most fit"