Is it illegal for your parents to take money out of your account?

Asked by: Dorris Williamson II  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (50 votes)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says it is permissible for either person on the joint account to either remove funds or close the account without the permission of the other account holder, in most cases.

Can my parents legally take money out of my bank account?

Yes, unless you're an “emancipated minor.” In fact, they can probably do things like take all the money out of your bank account, too. Emancipation in this context means that, although your are too young in years to be considered an adult, you wil...

Is it illegal to take money out of your child's account?

It's not illegal to take money from your kids in most cases, although, of course, there are exceptions, like if the child's money is in a specific trust and you abuse the funds.

Can a parent withdraw money from a child's bank account?

Yes, money can be withdrawn from custodial accounts, as long as it is used "for the benefit of the minor," a vague term that includes, but isn't limited to, educational costs.

Can parents take your money at 18?

Once your child reaches age 18, you can no longer make decisions for them, even if they're incapacitated, unless they have signed a health care proxy. Similarly, a durable power of attorney authorizes you to manage your child's finances in the event that they are unable to make decisions themselves.

Parents Taking Money Out Of My Account

18 related questions found

What if my daughter used my debit card without permission?

Contact your bank immediately

The bank may be able to cancel the payment or put the money back into your account. If your card provider will not give you your money back, report them to Trading Standards.

Can I take money out of my child's account?

However, there are many accounts held on behalf of children with one of their parents as trustee. Here, providing the trustee can prove they are using the monies for the benefit of the child, they can withdraw funds from the child's account.

Can I kick my mom off my bank account?

Contact your bank to be sure of their policies for removing an account holder—while some banks allow this, others require the entire account to be closed. You may also need to supply the written permission of the other account holder to remove yourself.

Can a 16 year old withdraw money?

Minors do not have direct access or control over the funds until they reach legal age. However, once the minor reaches age 18, 19, or 21 (depending on the state), the custodian can deliver the funds to the minor, and account becomes theirs and they are free to do whatever they want with the money.

Can parents legally take your phone?

Generally speaking, a parent can still take the phone away from the child and search through the phone. While the phone may belong to the child, the parent is able to exercise control over the device if the parent believes it is in the child's best interest.

Can parents kick you out at 18?

Absolutely. The law does not discriminate against or for education, so an 18-year-old in high school is an independent adult, even while slogging away at AP exams and preparing for Senior Prank.

What are the rights of a 17 year old in Texas?

While a 17-year-old cannot make legally binding decisions like entering contracts or voting, they can give consent for certain medical treatments under Section 32.003 of the Texas Family Code. This includes situations such as consenting to drug treatment, mental health services, or counseling without parental approval.

Can my parents check my phone at 16?

While parents certainly differ in their opinions about this question, legally speaking, it is not child abuse for a parent to look through a child's phone.

Can I take money out of my dad's bank account?

Legally, only the owner has legal access to the funds, even after death. A court must grant someone else the power to withdraw money and close the account.

Is it illegal to take money from someone's bank account without permission?

Both state and federal laws prohibit unauthorized withdrawals from being taken from your bank account or charges made to your credit card without your express consent having first been obtained for that to occur. Some laws require this consent to have first been obtained expressly in writing.

Is it illegal for your parents to take money out of your bank account?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says it is permissible for either person on the joint account to either remove funds or close the account without the permission of the other account holder, in most cases.

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Do my parents still have access to my bank account when I turn 18?

A custodial account is the property of the child, but managed by the parent until the child turns 18. With a joint account, parent and child both have access, but the adult can supervise or limit activity, say, putting a cap on the amount the child can withdraw the account by actively monitoring the activity.

Can I kick my parent off my bank account?

The CFPB says that under most state laws or bank rules, you usually cannot remove the joint account holder without the other person's consent. One advantage to having a joint account at the same bank as your parent is the ease with which they can transfer money from their account to yours.

How much money can a minor withdraw?

PehliUdaan: Photo embossed ATM-cum-Debit with withdrawal/POS limit of Rs. 5,000/- will be issued in the name of the minor.

Is GoHenry worth it?

If you're using chores, Go Henry can help children to understand the “value” of money and it also encourages children to set savings goals. But in my experience, if your child is a spender, Go Henry doesn't change that!

Can you dispute charges your child made?

Dispute the charges with your credit card issuer

However, if you didn't approve the charges and didn't add your kid as an authorized user, the charges are technically considered unauthorized, and you can argue that it falls under the FCBA.

Is it illegal to use a family members debit card?

While credit and debit cards make purchasing things much more convenient, they're also tied to the accounts and identities of the persons they're registered with. This means it's illegal to use the payment card of another person.

Can you go to jail for using someone else's debit card with permission?

It's not a crime to use someone else's credit card if their cardholder agreement allows it and you receive permission from the cardholder. Be sure the cardholder carefully reviews their credit card terms before they let you use their card.