When used in legal documents, certain words have specific legal meanings that are frequently very specific. These words may also be used in common conversation to have slightly different or less narrowly defined meanings. A legal dictionary or contemporary state statute should help to clarify the definition.
A legal infant is typically someone under the age of majority. That’s not what is meant when your relative says their granddaughter is still an infant.
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3 Responses
Is age of majority State mandate? Sometime, somewhere I thought I’d learned a ”
legal” infant was up to 7 yrs of age.
Age of majority is usually codified in state statute and “infant” is often used as a reference to someone not of the age of majority. Sometimes minor heirs of a deceased can choose their own guardian (subject to court approval) at the age of 14.
Is there a good site that would clarify the meaning of legaleese?
Thank you!
Diane