Does a non-custodial parent of a 20-year old have a legal responsibility to pay for that “child’s” defense attorney?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Does a non-custodial parent of a 20-year old have a legal responsibility to pay for that “child’s” defense attorney?
Asked on December 2, 2015 under Family Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
No. A 20-year old is an adult, not a minor. Another adult, even a parent (whether custodial or not) is not obligated by law to pay for the cost of a defense attorney. The only excepton would be if there had been a child support order or settlement (such as in a divorce proceeding or other family court matter) which stated that the parent had to pay for legal defense at least up through age 20; if so, such an order or settlement is enforceable, but if there was no such order or settlement, there would be no obligation to pay.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.