Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-71.141.99.140-20130613055136/@comment-4839682-20130613234418

Also, age of consent is not what makes one an adult... it's just the age where it's no longer a form of rape for someone over 18 to have sex with you XD

Different states have different ages and criteria for when they emancipate minors from the state foster system. (For example, Ohio doesn't have a set age. Someone with parents is expected to be supported by them until they are both 18 and graduate. An orphan would be supported by the state until they graduate or petition for emancipation) Also not sure why you assume Emma was emancipated by the state of Massachusetts.. it could have been anywhere in New England.