Does the state of Georgia allow a minor to have check writing privledges?

§ 7-1-351. Minors' deposits and safe-deposit agreements


(a) A bank may receive deposits from:

(1) A minor; or

(2) A minor with one or more adults or other minors, as party to and with the same effect as a multiple-party account under Article 8 of this chapter.

(b) A bank or trust company may rent a safe-deposit box or other receptacle for safe deposit of property to, and receive property for safe deposit from, a minor, individually or jointly with one or more adults or other minors.

(c) A bank or trust company may deal with a minor with respect to a deposit account or safe-deposit agreement covered by subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section without the consent of a parent or guardian and with the same effect as though the minor were an adult. A parent or guardian shall not have any right in that capacity to interfere with any such transaction. Any action of the minor with respect to such deposit account or safe-deposit agreement shall be binding on the minor with the same effect as though the minor were an adult.

Do remember, though, that you still need the minor to be able to agree to the contract. Where the financial institution draws the line between minors who understand and those who don't understand what they are agreeing to is a difficult judgment call, I think. And clearly, even it you push that line to a ridiculous extreme, if a kid can't yet sign his/her own name, there can't really be a contract with the minor.

Generally, if a minor has a job and regular checks to deposit they can have an account at most banks in Georgia. However, be careful and don't tie in any overdraft protection products or credit lines as they can not enter a loan contract until age 18. Also no debit cards that can be used as credit cards.

Generally an adult has to sign on the account until they are 18 just in case they write those bad checks and the bank makes the major mistake of paying them.