Can a minor hire me or doI need to get written consent from a parent first?
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Can a minor hire me or doI need to get written consent from a parent first?
I do freelance web design and a minor has contacted me to do a website.
Asked on September 17, 2011 under Business Law, Indiana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
A minor cannot enter into enforceable contracts; therefore, if the minor does not pay you upfront but rather contracts to pay you later, when the work is done, that contract might not be enforceable; thus, you could find yourself having difficulty in collecting if the minor defaults. For that reason, if you can't get the money paid all up front, you really should get one of the minor's parents to sign the contract as well. That will give you someone over the age of majority--the parent--against whom you can take legal action (e.g. sue in small claims court) if need be. So it's not necessarily "consent" per se that you need; you need to to have some obligated to pay you against whom you can enforce the contract. (Or, as stated, get the payment upfront so it's a nonissue.)
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