What age is UTMA for?
James Craig
Published Mar 23, 2026
18
Age of majority by state
| State | Age of majority | UTMA account age of majority |
|---|---|---|
| California | 18 | 18 |
| Colorado | 18 | 21 |
| Connecticut | 18 | 21 |
| D.C. | 18 | 21 |
Age of Majority and Trust Termination
| State | UGMA | UTMA |
|---|---|---|
| California | 18 | 18 |
| Colorado | 21 | 21 |
| Connecticut | 21 | 21 |
| Delaware | 18 | 21 |
What do you do with UTMA when your child turns 18?
When children reach the age of majority, the account can be transferred into their name only with custodian consent. Otherwise, they can remove the custodian from the account at the age of termination.
When do you lose control of your child’s UTMA account?
But when your child reaches the age of majority – 18 or 21, or even older, depending on the state – you, as the custodian, lose all control over the account. The funds then belong to your child, and the child is the only one who can decide what happens to the money.
What can a custodial UTMA account be used for?
A custodial Universal Transfer to Minors Account, or UTMA, can be used to start a savings program for a child. The UTMA structure gives a custodian control over the investments and distributions of an account until the child turns 18 and legally becomes the owner of the account assets.
How old do you have to be to open UTMA account?
A Uniform Transfers to Minor Act (UTMA) account is any type of financial account where an adult transfers assets to children under the age of 18. This is an irrevocable gift that is commonly invested in savings, mutual funds or brokerage accounts.
Can a parent sue a child for UTMA money?
The donor or the child could easily come back and sue the parent if the parent mismanages those funds. Even without malicious intent, it’s illegal to do anything with the money that the child doesn’t ask for. A child could technically sue for something as simple as moving the UTMA money into a regular 529 college savings plan.
