If you have a child under the age of 18 who was injured in an accident, there are special procedures which must be followed in order to complete a settlement. Settling the injury claims of minors, people under the age of 18, requires court approval. The purpose of requiring such approval is to protect the minor child’s settlement funds until they reach adulthood at age 18. Washington State Law requires that court approval be obtained in every settlement of a claim, whether or not filed in court, involving the beneficial interest of an un-emancipated minor. The court is required to determine the adequacy of the proposed settlement on behalf of the minor child and reject or approve it.  Once a judge approves the settlement, the net settlement funds are generally placed into a blocked account which can only be accessed by court order or after the minor child turns 18.

Madigan Law has extensive experience handling settlements of minor children, and can help

parents and their children navigate the procedures for obtaining the best settlement conditions possible. In addition, Kelly Madigan has successfully completed guardianship training and can serve as a court appointed minor settlement guardian ad litem.