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 Ohio, parents can be held liable for the intentional or willful acts of property damage committed by their minor children. Ohio Revised Code Section 3109.09 states that parents are liable for the willful and malicious acts of their children that cause injury or loss to a person or property, with a liability limit of $10,000 plus costs and reasonable attorney fees. Regarding negligent acts, parents may be held responsible if they were negligent in supervising their child or if they negligently entrusted their child with an instrumentality, such as a vehicle or firearm, that led to injury or damage. The concept of negligent supervision implies that parents have a duty to exercise reasonable care to control their minor children to prevent them from intentionally harming others or from conducting themselves so recklessly as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to others. Negligent entrustment recognizes that parents may be liable if they provide their child with an object that, due to the child's immaturity or history of recklessness, poses a substantial risk of harm when used by the child.