In California, the age of majority is 18. Once a young man or woman reaches 18 years of age, he or she is considered an adult for all purposes other than drinking alcohol. How does this impact the young person and the parents?
One of things that often surprises parents is that the young person’s right to privacy outweighs all rights that the parents have with regard to the child. This means that legally, the parent has no rights to see college grades or medical information. This, despite the fact that the parent is paying for the service. One of the most important things that a parent may consider is to have the young person sign an Advance Health Care Directive. This allows the parent (should the young person designate him or her) to make medical decisions in case of emergency.
Despite the fact that the young person is an adult, the parent may still be held legally responsible for the acts of the young person. For example, driving the family car and having an accident can expose the parent to liability, if the parent is still the owner of the car and carries the insurance. Putting the car into the child’s name and getting a separate insurance policy mitigates this risk, however the insurance will be at a significantly higher price.
The California State Bar has two publications that can be very helpful to teenagers and their parents in terms of understanding these legal issues. The first is called “Kids and the Law: An A-Z Guide for Parents.” The brochure explains what rights and responsibilities that a parent has with regard to a child, and what protections and rights that the child has. The second is called “When You Become 18: A Survival Guide for Teenagers.” These helpful publications can be ordered by looking online at www.calbar.ca.gov under public services.
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