At what age is a parent no longer responsible for the actions of a minor child?

Question

As a parent, you have to sign for your kids until they are 18. Are you responsible for knowing what they are doing until that time? And should you, along with your child, be held responsible for any illegal activity committed by that child?

Answer 1

Yep... we are responsible for knowing where they are and what they are up to until they are 18. That makes things like making it illegal for your child to miss more than a certain number of days at school very difficult for parents. If you dropped your kid off at school, went to work, and your kid did not go INTO the school for the day- you are still held liable. And, if your child misses too many days, you can be brought up on child neglect charges. This was good in theory- trying to motivate the negligent parents into making sure to take their child to school, but for the parents who are doing what they are supposed to, and their child is still sneaking out, etc.- what then? Does the law make allowances for parents who are trying to get their kids to comply who just aren't following the rules? No. The parents can get jail time anyway. After a certain age, parents have limited control over where their child goes- and can't be following them around everywhere to make sure they are where they are supposed to be. You have to train them when they are little... and too many parents fail in this part. If they haven't made the impression when the child is little, they will have all kinds of problems when the child is older. I can see where it would be problematic to have to pay for damages your child inflicts (vandalism, etc), but ultimately, the parent is responsible (at least to some extent) for the actions of their child by modifying their behavior prior to it getting out of hand.

Answer 2

It depends on the state. In NY, if a minor child did something that can be sued for and the parents have shown that they have taught and told this child to not behave as such, then the parent is not responsible and a judgment will go against the child and he/she will have to pay back when he/she turns 18. But if the parent hasn't done their job and taught the child between right and wrong then the parent would be liable. That is in NY though, I am not sure about other states.

Answer 3

you are legally responsible for your children until they turn 18, if your child commits a crime and they are under 18 then yes to some extent the parents could be held responsible but it doesnt necessarily mean the parents were aware of what thier kids were doing at the time. A lot depends on circumstances

Answer 4

The parents are responsible until the day they turn 18. The only exception is if the child is emancipated. Then the parents are no longer responsible for the child!Good luck!

Answer 5

18 in some states an 21 in others. Personally I do agree with this being a teen not that long ago (22 now) I think its should be that way bc so many parents let their children come and go as they please! and if the child is out doing disruptive behavior the parents obviously didn't do a good job at raising them right and this is where we are going wrong as society! There are to many key-latch kids now a days and that gives them time to do as they please. To many homes where parents have to wrk bc of financial situations and YES they should be held liable bc they went wrong in raising that child. Nowadays so many parents rely on someone else raising their child (sitter day care center) and expect the schooling systems to teach their children everything I'm sorry but when I see a 5 y.o child who doesn't know their name, how to write it or even their colors it makes me mad bc those are the same parents who sit there and when their child drops out of school or fails a grade blame it on our school systems

Answer 6

Fully responsible under 13. Partially to 16. Almost none until 18. Parents have the responsibility to provide age appropriate supervision and are liable for it.

My children are personally held responsible for their actions through my parental authority. For example, vandalize a window and I may end up paying out the cash, but their butts may pay for their actions.

Answer 7

I never thought it was fair to be held responsible for our teenagers actions. But the unfortunate truth is, that when we decide to become parents we take on that responsibility! All we can do is be the best parents and teach our kids to be respectful and not brake the law! besides that everything else is out of our hands, we cannot watch our children 24/7.it is impossible!

Answer 8

you are responsible for the actions of your child until they are 18. However, if they commit an illegal act, I don't think that they parents should be punished because they didn't actually commit the crime. I know all kinds of kids that think they are adults and their parents let them run wild. My brother-in-law's just turned 17 year old girlfriend announced last week that she is moving in with him and dropping out of school. Her parents are letting her! People need to realize that they are responsible for their children until they are of legal adult age, not until they are old enough to take care of themselves.

Answer 9

Depends on each states laws but mostly parents are responsible for kids up to age 18.

Answer 10

I have seen it over and over again with people I know. Yes, the parents are 100% responsible until the day they turn 18. The only exception is if the child is emancipated.