Parents are generally responsible for (have liability for) intentional, willful, and malicious property damage done by their minor child. Parents may also be liable for the negligent acts of their minor child if the parents were (1) negligent in supervising the child (negligent supervision), or (2) negligent in entrusting the use of a car, gun, boat, motorcycle, or other item (often called an instrumentality) to the child (negligent entrustment).
These parental liability laws vary from state to state; often include age and monetary limits; and may be included in your state’s statutes—often in the family code.
In Colorado, parents can be held liable for the intentional or willful property damage caused by their minor children. The state's parental responsibility laws stipulate that parents may be responsible for paying for damages resulting from their child's actions. Additionally, parents can be liable for their child's negligent acts if it is determined that the parents failed to supervise the child adequately (negligent supervision) or if they negligently entrusted their child with an item that could cause harm, such as a vehicle or firearm (negligent entrustment). Colorado law typically sets age and monetary limits on the liability of parents for the actions of their minor children. These specifics are outlined in the state statutes, which may be found in sections related to family law or civil liability.