Am I liable for damage caused by my unemancipated son?

Full question:

My son (16 year old) lives separately, although he is not emancipated yet. He recently got into a fight with his neighbor’s son and damaged the neighbor’s car. For the sole reason that my son is unemancipated and a minor, am I legally liable for the damage caused to the neighbor’s car? We live in Vermont.

  • Category: Minors
  • Subcategory: Liability of Parent
  • Date:
  • State: Vermont

Answer:

Yes, as the parent of an unemancipated minor, you are responsible for their actions, including any damage caused. In Vermont, if an unemancipated minor under the age of eighteen willfully or maliciously damages property, either parent can be held liable. According to Vermont law (15 V.S.A. § 901), parents are liable for damages up to $5,000, provided the minor would be liable if they were an adult. If multiple minors cause damage, each parent is liable for their respective child, also up to $5,000. This liability is in addition to any other legal remedies that may exist.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

If your unemancipated son damages someone else's property, you may be held liable for the costs of repair or replacement. In Vermont, parents can be responsible for up to $5,000 in damages caused by their minor children, as long as the minor would be liable if they were an adult. This is outlined in Vermont law (15 V.S.A. § 901).

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