Child Welfare License (CWEL) Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

A minor can be subject to a Petition for Temporary Custody when they are under 18 years of age. This is because the legal age of majority, which is 18 in many jurisdictions, defines when an individual is recognized as an adult and can make legal decisions independently. Before reaching this age, minors do not have the full legal capacity to self-represent or manage their own welfare, making them eligible for custody petitions aimed at safeguarding their interests.

Legislation regarding child welfare typically establishes guidelines for the protection and custody of minors, ensuring that appropriate actions can be taken when a child's safety and well-being are at risk. Therefore, when a minor is under 18, legal measures can be enacted to temporarily place them in a safe environment, often with a family member, foster family, or in a group home, depending on the situation.

While it's important to note that infants and young children can also be subjects of such petitions, the primary consideration is that minors needing custody intervention are those who have not yet reached the age of majority.