Which situation allows a 16-year-old or older to sign the placement agreement without parental consent?

• A. Resides separate and manages own financial affairs
• B. Unmarried and pregnant
• C. Unmarried and a parent
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Emancipation and the ability to consent for placement decisions come into play. A minor who is 16 or older can sign a placement agreement without a parent’s consent when the minor has enough independence or responsibility to make that decision on their own.

One route is emancipation through living apart from the parents and managing the minor’s own finances; this shows they are capable of handling contracts and decisions without parental oversight. Another scenario is being unmarried and pregnant, which signals that the minor is responsible for decisions affecting their welfare and the welfare of their child. Finally, being unmarried and a parent directly places the minor in a parental role, giving them the authority to decide about their child’s placement without needing a parent’s consent.

Because each of these situations provides the necessary authority for the minor to act autonomously in placement matters, all of the above allow signing the placement agreement without parental consent.