Also known as: responsible persons · responsible party
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A person charged with the care and supervision of a minor or with financial responsibility for the minor's support and related proceedings. The designation determines who may exercise limited authority over the minor and who bears associated costs or liabilities when the minor's interests require protection.
After Sheri and Beth filed for divorce, the court considered appointing an attorney for their sixteen-year-old daughter Felicity to address custody and support. Because neither parent qualified as indigent, the court ordered the costs against Beth as the responsible party with greater resources. Beth must pay the attorney's fees and disbursements under the resulting order.
Rowan, the legal guardian of a ten-year-old, saw the child about to damage property and applied moderate physical restraint to stop the misconduct. The force was applied solely to promote the child's welfare and created no risk of serious harm. Rowan therefore qualifies as a responsible person whose conduct is justified.
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A parent, guardian, or other person with legal responsibility for the minor's general care and supervision qualifies. The designation also extends to financial responsibility for costs such as attorney fees when the court appoints counsel for the child.
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A responsible person may use force when the purpose is to safeguard or promote the minor's welfare, including preventing misconduct, provided the force is not designed to cause death, serious bodily harm, or extreme distress.
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The court orders costs against either or both parents. If the responsible party is indigent, the appropriate agency bears the expense instead.
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