Can a parent legally take their child’s money?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can a parent legally take their child’s money?
My friend is 18 years old and just got her first job. Some things have been going on with her mom, and for no reason at all, her mom now wants my friend to give her half of whatever she earns from working this job. Of course on a moral standpoint, it seems wrong for her mother to take away the money she works for, especially without an incentive. But what I am curious about is the legal aspect of things. Is it completely legal for her mother to steal her money despite my friend being an adult now? What is something my friend can do to ensure her mom cannot do what she wants to do?
Asked on July 4, 2016 under Business Law, Oregon
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Your friend owes no financial duty to her mother; she is not required to pay anything to her under the law. As an adult, she can keep her entire paycheck. If her mother stteals her money she could be reported to the police (although, in a situation such as this, they may tell her to handle things in civil court). That having been said, since she still lives with her mother, her mother could begin to charge your friend rent. That would be legal. Possibly now is the time for your friend to consider moving out if possible.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.