Minors (persons under 18 years of age) lack the legal capacity to make a contract or sign a release. Such persons may be represented by Next Friend in hiring a lawyer, bringing suit and settling the claim. The Next Friend is normally one or both parents or another relative or person who is close to the injured child. Settlement of a major case requires court approval to insure that the interests of the child are protected and that the child will be unable to later sue the same defendant again. Except in unusual circumstances the court will not approve an attorneys fee in a minor's case higher than 33 1/3%.