In Washington, minors (persons under the age of 18) are not permitted to enter into settlement agreements. Their parents are also not permitted to sign off on the settlement or accept money on behalf of the minor until the court approves the settlement. A special rules of court exists that establishes a procedure for the court to evaluate the settlement and assign an independent person – called a guardian ad litem – to investigate the case and make sure that the settlement is in the minors interests. http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.display&group=sup&set=SPR&ruleid=supspr98.16</p> <p> <strong>