Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Rights of minors to refuse medical treatment

What legal rights,if any, do mature minors have to refuse medical treatment on religious grounds? Do they require parental support? Can a court force treatment?


Asked on 3/27/99, 10:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Pransky Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

Re: Rights of minors to refuse medical treatment

In Massachusetts, parents are lawful guardians of minors and make all decisions for

medical care. If a minor does not want medical care that the parent wants, they would

have to go to a court to get an order that takes away the parents authority to make

the decision. The court could make the decision or, if the minor is mature, allow the

minor to make the decision.

Alan Pransky

Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

20 Eastbrook Road


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Answered on 4/10/99, 10:05 pm


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