38-101. Period of minority. The period of minority extends in all persons to the age of eighteen (18) years, except that every person sixteen (16) years of age or over who is or has been married shall be considered of the age of majority in all matters relating to contracts, property rights, liabilities and the capacity to sue and be sued.
History: G.S. 1868, ch. 67, § 1; L. 1917, ch. 184, § 1; L. 1919, ch. 229, § 1; R.S. 1923, 38-101; L. 1965, ch. 274, § 1; L. 1972, ch. 161, § 5; L. 1978, ch. 155, § 1; July 1.
Cross References to Related Sections:
Marriage, age of parties, see 23-2505.
Law Review and Bar Journal References:
Gifts to minors, Melvin C. Poland, 5 W.L.J. 29, 43 (1965).
Discussed in 1963-65 survey of family law, John W. Brand, Jr., and Dan Hopson, Jr., 14 K.L.R. 271, 290 (1965).
Discussed in 1963-65 survey of law of contracts, Fred N. Six, 14 K.L.R. 209 (1965).
"Medico—Legal Aspects of the Student Health Service," John E. Howe and Barry McGrath, 69 J.K.M.S. 421, 423, 441 (1968).
Kansas law on statutes of limitation, 18 K.L.R., 441, 446 (1970).
"Walton's Castle: The Spectrum of 'I Am Curious—Yellow'," Edwin P. Carpenter, 10 W.L.J. 163, 174 (1970).
"Medical Record Guide," J.K.M.S., Vol. LXXI, No. XI, 451, Nov. 1970.
Mentioned in comment on the community junior college act, 11 W.L.J. 499, 500, 501, 502 (1972).
"Effect of Change in Age of Majority Upon Parents' Duty of Support," Grant M. Glenn, 23 K.L.R. 181 (1974).
"Survey of Kansas Law: Family Law," Camilla Klein Haviland, 27 K.L.R. 241, 252 (1979).
"Immigration Law and Policy: A History of Judicial Deference, and the Effect of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986," Susan Gentry Saidian and Susana Valdovinos-Hall, 27 W.L.J. 601, 614 (1988).
"Common Law Marriage: Civil Contract or 'Carnal Commerce'," Mary D. Feighny, 70 J.K.B.A. No. 4, 20 (2001).
Attorney General's Opinions:
Family planning services for minors; parental consent. 87-66.
CASE ANNOTATIONS
1. Father not liable for unauthorized acts of minor son. Edwards v. Crume, 13 Kan. 348, 350.
2. Statute is not retroactive. Smith v. Smith, 104 Kan. 629, 632, 180 P. 231; The State, ex rel., v. Lyons, 104 Kan. 702, 708, 180 P. 802; Wisecarver v. Wells, 108 Kan. 842, 844, 845, 197 P. 219.
3. Ward's right to possess and control property at majority absolute. Lohoff v. LaShell, 109 Kan. 515, 517, 200 P. 295.
4. Cited in discussing when effect of court order for child support ceases. Trunkey v. Johnson, 154 Kan. 725, 730, 121 P.2d 247.
5. Unmarried minor cannot legally surrender her child without probate court's consent (concurring opinion). Wilson v. Kansas Children's Home, 159 Kan. 325, 330, 154 P.2d 137.
6. Applied; district court lacked jurisdiction in custody case where probate court action pending. Walker v. McNutt, 165 Kan. 533, 539, 196 P.2d 163.
7. Mentioned; minor held liable for damages to airplane. Pottawatomie Airport & Flying Service, Inc. v. Winger, 176 Kan. 445, 449, 271 P.2d 754.
8. History; judgment of probate court in adoption proceeding not vacated within time held final. Meek v. Ames, 177 Kan. 565, 568, 570, 572, 280 P.2d 957.
9. Child 17 years old held to be a minor, although married. Ortiz v. Ortiz, 180 Kan. 334, 336, 304 P.2d 490.
10. Disability of infancy in respect to running of statute of limitations not affected by person's marriage after cause of action arises and before reaching 21. Edmonds v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, 294 F. Supp. 1311, 1312, 1313.
11. Statute does not lower age of disability from twenty-one to eighteen within the purview of K.S.A. 60-515. Gifford v. Saunders, 207 Kan. 360, 361, 363, 365, 485 P.2d 195.
12. Held that statute could not be ignored in determining age of majority in relation to K.S.A. 60-515 (dissenting opinion). Gifford v. Saunders, 207 Kan. 360, 365, 485 P.2d 195.
13. Cited in dissenting opinion of case extending procedural due process to school expulsion proceeding. Smith v. Miller, 213 Kan. 1, 21, 514 P.2d 377.
14. Child support obligation terminated upon effective date of act lowering minority period where child was eighteen prior to effective date. Jungjohann v. Jungjohann, 213 Kan. 329, 332, 336, 516 P.2d 904.
15. Cited; where child support to continue until majority, obligation terminates when child eighteen; exception. Rice v. Rice, 213 Kan. 800, 801, 804, 805, 518 P.2d 477.
16. No error in allowing defendant child support payments until July 1, 1972. Baker v. Baker, 217 Kan. 319, 321, 537 P.2d 171.
17. Duty under agreement to support child until age of majority ceases when statutory age reached. Ferguson v. Ferguson, 6 Kan. App. 2d 287, 290, 628 P.2d 234.
18. Marriage of 16 year old child does not as a matter of law emancipate child; public policy provides for support of child until 18 years of age; father must request modification or termination of support. In re Marriage of Schoby, 26 Kan. App. 2d 317, 319, 982 P.2d 406 (1999).
19. Minor who has been emancipated as matter of law under K.S.A. 38-101 not subject to child in need of care code. In re Pace, 26 Kan. App. 2d 538, 540, 989 P.2d 297 (1999).
20. Parties may not privately agree to reduction of child support payments; marriage of 16 year-old child does not necessarily terminate obligation where mother continues to support child, even though property settlement provides for payment until child reaches 18, marries or is legally emancipated. In re Marriage of Schoby, 269 Kan. 114, 4 P.3d 604 (2000).
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