Generally, the parents of the child retain control over the financial reward. The court understands that minors, especially young children, are not mature enough for the responsibility that comes with a large financial settlement. For that reason, Georgia law employs statutes that prevent a minor from gaining control over settlement earnings, and instead require a conservator to be appointed. The conservator is an adult who has a legal obligation to protect and manage the settlement funds for the child until they become a legal adult at the age of 18.
The conservator may not spend the child’s money without the court’s approval. They must inform the court why they need the money and outline for the court the plan for spending it. Simply put, the court appoints a conservator as a safeguard to protect the child’s money, but that conservator cannot spend any of the funds without the court’s oversight.
