AGING-OUT

aging-out,n. A foster child’s or minor ward’s reaching the age at which any legal right to care

expires. • Aging-out usu. occurs when the child reaches the age of majority and becomes ineligible

for  foster  care.  Some  states allow  an  extension  of  eligibility  up  to  age 21  if  the  child  is still  in

school or cannot live independently,  or if it is otherwise  in the child’s best interests to remain in

foster care and the child consents. See INDEPENDENT-LIVING PROGRAM [Blacks Law 8th]