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 Tennessee, 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 deliberate actions. Additionally, parents in Tennessee can be held liable for negligent supervision if it is determined that they failed to exercise reasonable care in supervising their minor child, which then led to damage or injury. Furthermore, the concept of negligent entrustment applies in Tennessee, meaning that if a parent negligently allows their minor child to use an instrumentality such as a car, firearm, or boat, and the child causes damage or injury with it, the parent can be held liable. These laws are subject to certain conditions and limitations, including age and monetary caps, which are specified in the state's statutes.