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 Vermont, parents can be held liable for the intentional or willful property damage caused by their minor children. Vermont law, specifically under 15 V.S.A. § 1003, states that parents or guardians are responsible for willful destruction of property by their minor children, with the liability limited to $5,000. This statute does not cover negligent acts unless the damage was willfully or maliciously caused by the minor. Regarding negligent supervision or negligent entrustment, Vermont does not have a specific statute that addresses these issues. However, common law principles may apply, and parents could potentially be held liable under general negligence theories if it can be shown that they failed to supervise their child appropriately or negligently entrusted them with an instrumentality that caused harm. It's important to note that these laws can be complex and may be interpreted differently by courts, so consulting with an attorney for specific legal advice is recommended.