ADULT
A person who by virtue of attaining a certain age,
generally eighteen, is regarded in the eyes of the
law as being able to manage his or her own affairs.
The age specified by law, called the legal age
of majority, indicates that a person acquires full
legal capacity to be bound by various documents,
such as contracts and deeds, that he or
she makes with others and to commit other legal
acts such as voting in elections and entering
marriage. The age at which a person becomes an
adult varies from state to state and often varies
within a state, depending upon the nature of the
action taken by the person. Thus, a person wishing
to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle
may be considered an adult at age sixteen, but
may not reach adulthood until age eighteen for
purposes of marriage, or age twenty-one for
purposes of purchasing intoxicating liquors.
Anyone who has not reached the age of
adulthood is legally considered an INFANT.
