UTMA & UGMA Age of Majority by State: When Custodial Accounts Transfer

Every custodial account has a built-in expiration date on your control: the day it transfers, in full, to your child. That age depends on two things — your state, and whether the account is a UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) or a UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). Here’s the complete state-by-state breakdown.

First, a distinction that trips people up

The age of majority is the age you can sign contracts and are legally an adult. The age of trust termination is when a custodial account actually hands over to the child. They are not the same number — and for custodial accounts, termination usually comes later. That’s why a UTMA can transfer at 21 even in a state where legal adulthood starts at 18.

The quick pattern: a UGMA transfers at the age of majority — 18 in nearly every state. A UTMA transfers at the age of trust termination — 21 in most states, 18 in some, and several states let you specify a later age when the account is set up.

UGMA & UTMA age of majority by state

Source: finaid.org, “Age of Majority and Trust Termination.” Ages reflect each state’s default; some states let the person creating the account specify a later termination age at titling (see below). Always confirm the current rule and your account’s titling with your custodian.

States that let you extend the age

Several states allow the donor to specify a later termination age when the account is created — if it isn’t titled that way, the default in the table above applies. The notable ones:

• Up to 25: Alaska (21–25), Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon (21–25), Pennsylvania (21–25), Tennessee (21–25), Virginia, and Washington.
• Up to 30: Wyoming (the custodian must notify the minor within 6 months of their 21st birthday).
• California: up to 21 for an outright gift, or up to 25 when the transfer comes through a will, trust, or power of appointment.
• A range you choose (18–21): Arkansas, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma.

A few states also have special-case rules — for example, Louisiana can terminate at 16 if the minor is fiducially emancipated, and Maryland terminates at 18 if the account was created by an obligor. If your situation is unusual, the account’s titling and your state statute are what govern.

Why the exact date matters

On the termination date, the money is unconditionally your child’s. They can log in, withdraw the whole balance, and spend it on anything — no approval from you, no clawback. For a small starter account that’s a non-event. For a large one, it’s the single biggest thing to plan for, and the gap between an 18-state and a 21-state (or a specified 25) is three to seven extra years of your oversight.

Two things make the handoff go well: know your date (find your state above, then check how the account was actually titled), and give your kid years of visibility into the account before it arrives — so 21 brings context, not a windfall shock. That second part is exactly what MemoryBank was built for.

Frequently asked questions

At what age does a UTMA account transfer to the child?

It depends on the state. A UTMA transfers at the age of trust termination — 21 in most states, 18 in some (including California, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C.), and 22 in Louisiana. Several states also let you specify a later age, commonly up to 25.

Is the age of majority the same as when a custodial account transfers?

No. The age of majority is when someone can legally sign contracts; the age of trust termination is when a custodial account hands over to the child. They aren't the same number, and for custodial accounts the termination age usually comes later.

What is the UGMA age of majority in my state?

For a UGMA, the age of majority is 18 in nearly every state. The exceptions are Alabama and Nebraska (19) and Mississippi (21).

Can I make a UTMA transfer at a later age than 21?

In some states, yes — if you specify it when the account is created. States like Alaska, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington allow up to 25, and Wyoming as far as 30. If a later age isn't specified in the titling, the state's default age applies.

What happens at the UTMA termination age?

The account becomes fully the child's. They can withdraw the entire balance and use it for anything, with no approval from the custodian and no way to reverse it. For a large balance, that handover is worth planning for well in advance.

The bottom line

Find your state, note whether it’s a UTMA (usually 21) or UGMA (usually 18), and check whether the account was titled to extend the age. That date is when your child takes the wheel — so know it early, and make sure they’ve been watching the account grow long before it becomes theirs.

Note: State statutes change, and how an account is titled can override the default age. This is general education, not legal or tax advice — confirm your state’s current rule and your account’s terms with your custodian or an attorney before relying on a specific date.