legal age

n.
The age at which a person may by law assume the rights and responsibilities of an adult.

Age at which a person can enter into binding contracts or agree to other legal acts without the consent of another adult. In most states the legal age, also called the age of majority, is 18 years. See Minor.

The official standard of maturity upon which one is held legally responsible for one's acts. Contracts for the sale or lease of real estate by a minor are voidable by the minor. See Minor.
Example: Young, aged 17, signed a contract to purchase a home. Because Young was not of legal age, the seller could not enforce the contract when Young later decided not to go through with the purchase.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

The time of life at which a person acquires full capacity to make his or her own contracts and deeds and to transact business or to enter into some particular contract or relation, such as marriage.

In most states a minor attains legal age at eighteen, although for certain acts, such as consuming alcoholic beverages, the age might be higher; for others, such as driving, the age might be lower. Legal age is synonymous with age of consent or age of majority.

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