Minors and Civil Actions in California

California’s Family Code, in Division 11, Part 2, deals with rights of liabilities of minors in civil actions and proceedings.

Section 6600 specifies that a minor is civilly liable for a wrong done by the minor, but is not liable for exemplary damages unless, at the time of the act, the minor was capable of knowing that the act was wrongful.

Section 6601 allows a minor to enforce the minor’s rights by civil action or other legal proceedings in the same manner as an adult, except that a guardian must conduct the action or proceedings.

Section 6602 states that a contract for attorney’s fees for services in litigation, made by or on behalf of a minor, is void unless the contract is approved, on petition by an interested person, by the court in which the litigation is pending or by the court having jurisdiction of the guardianship estate of the minor.