Can an individual be held legally responsible for debts that occured when they were a minor?

An obligation to pay a debt is usually by contract. A contract by a minor is "voidable" meaning that it can be invalidated. However, it is not void. The difference is sometimes important because if a contract is void then someone could never be held accountable. A contract by a minor however, may later be ratified (acknowledged as valid) by that invididual. Ratifying the contract then makes the person legally responsible. If the person who signed the contract as minor does not want to be held legally responsible, he or she must formally rebuke that contract.