In a message dated 3/18/03 10:54:48 AM Eastern Standard Time, deloris.williams2@verizon.net writes: > I'm hoping someone can answer my question. Does anyone know exactly what > age range is meant when old documents mention "the infant of"? The reason > for the question is that many old court and deed records I've come across > say something about leaving property, etc. to the infants of someone, yet > from other records of the same time those children weren't necessarily > babies, and indeed some may have been teenagers. So I get the idea that > the > meaning is much broader than is used now. If someone more familiar with > the > terms could reply, I'd greatly appreciate it. > > Delores: "the general rule is that if the infant is under fourteen, the court has full authority to name his guardian but if he is fourteen or older, he can nominate his own guardian subject to court approval." This guardian is ususally required until the "child" reaches 21 or 18 depending on the state law at the time...or the instructions given in the will. Intestate proceedings usually follow the "becomes of age" which might be 21 in North Carolina...depending on the year. So I would say the answer for infant is any child under fourteen and any child above 14 to age 21 would still require a guardian as well. Hope this helps. MJZ