Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
When am I no longer financially responsible for a minor?
My sixteen-year-old son has left home (runaway) to live with his aunt. He has a driver's license and "borrowed" a friend's mother's auto without her knowledge while he was enebriated. Needless to say he had an accident. They have agreed not to press any charges and reported the incident to thier insurance company who then agreed not to press the issue with the authorities (my son is already on probation) provided he make restitution. He has been paid twice since running away and has not made any attempt to pay restitution. Am I financially liable? While he lives at his aunt's, against my wishes, am I financially liable for any trouble he gets into?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: When am I no longer financially responsible for a minor?
Although your son remains a minor until he turns 18, you are not automatically responsible for anything he does. Generally speaking, a parent can't be held responsible for the negligent conduct of his/her child unless the parent could have prevented the conduct (such as by taking the car keys away) after becoming aware of the problem.
There is a Maryland law obligating a parent to provide for a child. Thus if your child went to the hospital and ran up a bill, the hospital could look to you for payment; hopefully you have good insurance. But in the specific incident you referred to, you shouldn't be held responsible. Would your own auto insurance cover your son if the vehicle owner's insurance comes after him? Check with them.
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