A parent’s obligation for damage caused by a minor child, whether through criminal acts, intention, or negligence. State laws vary as to the extent and nature of parental liability. Most states hold parents responsible for willful or malicious property damage caused by their children; more than half hold parents liable for willful or malicious personal injuries caused by children. Most states do, however, limit the dollar amount of parental liability and do not hold parents liable for actions of children under age eight or so, except in cases where the parent was grossly negligent, as in giving a loaded gun to a young child. Under the family car doctrine, the parent also may be liable for actions caused by a child driving a car owned by the parent.