Can children of divorced parents choose who to live with?

Can children of divorced parents choose who to live with?

Most states do not specify an age at which a child can choose which parent he or she lives with after a divorce. Instead, the majority of states allows a judge to consider a child’s reasonable preferences for living arrangements when making custody decisions.

How old is a child when they can choose what parent to live with?

14 years old
If a child is at least 14 years old, the law allows the child to state a custodial preference, unless the judge believes doing so would be detrimental. Those children may address the court unless the court finds that their participation is not in their best interest.

At what age does a court listen to a child?

If the question of who the child is to live with has to be resolved through court proceedings, then the courts will start to place weight on a child’s wishes when they are considered competent to understand the situation. This can be around the age of 12 or 13 but varies on the circumstances.

At what age can a child choose which parent to live with in Ohio?

When Can A Child Choose Which Parent To Live With In Ohio? In Ohio, a child cannot choose which parent they wish to live with until they are 18 years old. Once a child is 12 years or older, the court will consider the child’s wishes, but the court is not obligated to fulfill them.

What age can a child decide which parent to live with in Alabama?

There is no specific age when Alabama courts must consider a child’s opinion. Instead, the judge in each case must determine whether the child is mature enough to have a reasonable preference.

What age does a child have to be to choose who they live with in Australia?

There is no set age at which a child can choose who they live with, or choose when (or whether) they see the other parent. A child is legally a minor until he/she turns 18.

Can a minor child choose which parent to live with?

They appear to be uniformly surprised to learn that a minor child does not have the legal right to decide which parent to live with. Depending on the jurisdiction in which you live, the age of your child may matter only in terms of the weight a judge might give to a child’s preference, should he or she have one.

What should a divorced parent do for their child?

Most importantly, divorced parents need to remember that the child did not choose for his or her parents to get married or divorced, so they should suffer as little as possible as a result of the failed relationship. Ultimately, talk-talk-talk to your child.

Can a child choose which parent will have custody?

In most states the children don’t have a choice, but in Georgia and West Virginia the courts allow children 14 years of age or older an “absolute” right to choose the custodial parent (as long as the judge deems the parent fit). However, that doesn’t mean that in most states the child has no say. Best Interest of the Child Standard

How old do children have to be to make their own decisions?

Many parents tell me their child will be 12 years old, 13 years old, 14 years old soon and will be able to make their own decisions. They appear to be uniformly surprised to learn that a minor child does not have the legal right to decide which parent to live with.