At what age does a parent's responsibility for an adult child end - 18 or 25?

Answer 1

Well, it really depends on what kind of parents you are and what kind of child you have. I believe that after a child is out of high school, parents are still very responsible for the child because the child has no real knowledge of the world and what's out there. I also think that, if the child wants to go to college or get a higher education, it is the parents' duty to help the child through this time period. Once the child has graduated from college or a place of higher learning, if the child wants to continue on and get another degree then the parents should support the child and once the child has finally finished his/her education then parents are removed of the responsibility.

Now if the child is able to get a job and is able to stand on its two feet than he/she will move out and then you have no more responsibility. But if the child has too many student loans, parents should allow their child to live with them until the loans are paid off and they can move out.

Furthermore, children who go to college are not considered independent until they are the age of 24 or their parents have deceased. I know this because whenever I would try to get financial aid from FAFSA, they would require my parents income tax, although I had a job and had my taxes done as well and was fully supporting myself financially. So I think the legal cut off age is 25 years old. Not to mention, you are not allowed to easily rent a car until you are the age of 25, this means that if they are under 25 years of age they have extra laws and fees that they have to worry about.

Not to mention, between the years of 18 to 25, a child does a lot of growing and actually becomes a man or a woman, even if they act tough they still need their parents. I mean I am 25 and when I got so seriously sick ( an eye infection that almost left me blind) while I was away at college, who did I call for help- my mom/parents. So, basically your responsibility as parents never really goes away, because children always need support; may it be in the form of advice, love, understanding, compassion , or even money. But, I think your financial responsibility for your child ends when they are done getting their education around age 25. If they choose not to get an education, then when a child gets a job where the child is making enough money to support himself/herself and is able to pay all his/her bills, basically a fulltime job, (can happen at age 18 ).

In the end I think the responsibility ends at age 25, if the child decides he wants to go to college. But if he/she doesn't want to attend college, then the responsibility ends at 18 and he/she needs to get a full time job and be able to provide for him/herself.

Answer 2

It depends on the parent and the child. Usually at 18 children become adults and are responsible for themselves but for some it takes longer. It also starts when the parent lets it. If at age 25 the parent is still caring and responsible for their child then it is the parent doing.

Answer 3

Parents legal responsibility ends at 18. Parents moral responsibility never ends.

You can't just let your kid go once they are a grown up. Yes the relationship DOES change and both sides will change accordingly. As the child becomes more independent the parent should be more of a guiding force of wisdom than a diaper changer or allowance giver.

If you were to have an adult daughter with a severe disorder or addiction you would honestly let her waste away without trying at least one intervention? You would let her do harm to herself instead of offering her the help she needs?

Just practice tough love and everything should be OK.

If you had adult son who was injured in a terrible car accident and in a coma would you leave him alone in the hospital? You wouldn't even visit him?

When the first grandchild comes around you're not going to give a helping hand even though you've been there before?

Yes its tough love, but cutting off all responsibility with something you created/raised by pulling the "Your 18/25" card is not very realistic. If you wouldn't do that to a best friend, why even think of doing it to your own child.

Just practice tough love with a watchful eye of when to step in and when to let them learn on their own.

Answer 4

Legally a parent's responsibility for a child ends when the child reaches the age of majority, which can be 18 or 21 depending on where you are.

Answer 5

Patricia, the correct answer is that the responsibility for ones children never ends. It is our place to continually teach our kids about life based on our own experience's. The way most laws are written, we are directly responsible or legally responsible for them until they are 18 years old. All this means is that we as parents are held responsible for their actions and any mistakes they make and are charged with correction or financial restitution. At age 18 we are still responsible to the child however the child at the age of accountability becomes responsible to society for themselves.

Answer 6

Given that the child has had an education (high school) and still living at home, I'd say it depends on if the kid is working or continuting their education. Some kids are not ready for the world at age 18. But they can get a job and contribute to the household. Certainly, I'd say by the time they are 25, they should be on their own.

Answer 7

Technically, in most states at 18. However, if someone is living in their parents' home after 18 and are claimed as a dependent, then some responsibility remains with the parents.

Answer 8

Legally it could end at 18. If the child were to move out and be on his own. While the child is still home, the parents still have responsibility for many things - especially if they are on their insurance, etc.

In reality, most parents will tell you that their responsibility never ends.

Answer 9

it ends at age 18

Answer 10

Umm, I would say the age thats the parents should no longer be responsible would be the age that you are legal to drink, so 18 in quebec, 19 in ontario and 21 in a few other places..