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In the eighteenth century, paternal power reached its pinnacle in the form of the patriarchal family. This power was typically exercised by the father, but when he died it could come to the mother, an older brother, or any relative acting as the guardian. The person holding this power was able to make discretionary decisions regarding the children’s education and careers, and obliged the children to abide by them, using physical and psychological intimidation if necessary. However, despite the fact that this power was legitimized and reinforced by the royal authority, it was questioned in the case of forced religious vocation. Indeed, children who were forced to make monastic vows by their parents were allowed to start a legal procedure for obtaining release from their vows from the Episcopal curia. Such initiatives were permitted by the Church in accordance with the rulings of the Council of Trent, but these cases were perceived as a potential threat to societal order. As a result, public institutions decided to intervene. They were not unanimous in their views on the question, even though they were representing royal power. How were the different judicial institutions called upon to address the cases of legal procedures for obtaining release of monastic vows, and how did they make judgment on them? How did the parents force their children to take monastic vows? As there were conflicts between the royal and ecclesiastic judicial institutions and, within the royal judicial institution, between the royal Council and Parliament, to what extent did these conflicts contribute to the regulation of paternal power and the redefinition of parenthood?