A person who does not have the legal rights of an adult. A minor is usually defined as someone who has not yet reached the age of majority. In most states, a person reaches majority and acquires all the rights and responsibilities of an adult when he or she turns 18.
Every state establishes a “majority age,” which is typically 18 years old. Individuals under this age are considered minors and must be supervised by a parent or guardian unless they attain emancipation. Minors are regarded differently than adults for a variety of legal purposes, including the privacy of official documents, criminal punishment, and property ownership or transfer during probate.
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