And if you have been a good parent, you will have little to worry about. Many children and parents often wonder at what age a child can decide their own custody/ living arrangements.. Do You Need To File For Divorce in the State You Were Married In. Ideally, both parents would understand and want what is best for their child. Their preference can evolve over time, driven by a variety of factors (e.g. When a child turns age 18 and becomes an adult they can choose to live wherever they want, but before then a judge can dictate where that child must live. This is a report done by a specially trained person who talks to you and writes down what you tell them. When Can a Child Legally Choose Which Parent to Live With? After the age of 12, however, the court may consider the childâs wishes in conjunction with other factors. The legal standard for child custody determinations is the best interest of the child. A child’s preference can be most effective when both parents are equally “fit,” all living conditions for the child are relatively equal, and the child is fourteen (14) years of age or over. At the age of 14 , the child is typically expected to give a statement, as well. The state recognizes that it might not always be the best decision to force a child to live with one parent when he may be closer to the other. Can a 15 year old choose to live with their grandparents? There is no magic age number when a child can decide who to live with under North Carolina law. On the other hand, a fourteen-year-old may say that a parent loves the child because the child is allowed to stay up late on school nights, feign illness to stay home from school, and does not care what grades the child receives. tâs much less simple for children under the age of 17. Get my free information guide by filling out the form below. The standard in custody cases is âthe best interest of the child.â Generally, a parent will be awarded custody if it is in that childâs best interest. The laws relating to a child's preference for ⦠The Older the Child Is, The More Likely the Child Can Choose Which Parent to Live with in South Carolina Under South Carolina law, a child is a person who is under the age of 18. They say any child below the teen areas have less influence on custody than those around the age of 15 or 16 due to maturity. Texas does not allow children to choose where to live at any age. We regularly get asked at what age can a child decide which parent she or he will live with. At what age will the court consider the child’s wishes? The Law Became More Specific Concerning a Child’s Age in … Your age and maturity will make a difference. When Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live with in Rhode Island? It is difficult to be both and being mainly the child’s friend is usually an easier path even if it is not the best decision for the child. Factors considered for when a child can choose which parent to live with: 1. age of the child: There is no set age in Australia and it is a factor to be considered. In many instances of child custody and changes in custody, parents want to know what effect, if any, their child or childrenâs preferences will have with the court or the judge. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This communication does not ⦠The simple fact is that a child’s age has very little to do with it and Pennsylvania law does not recognize any particular age as allowing a child to automatically decide. However, a child does not need to be over 16 to have an influence on where they would like to live. As a result, it is not accurate to say that when a child reaches 12 years old they will have the right to choose which parent to live with. Generally a child cannot decide which parent they want to live with. Let me to dispel this perception. It is up to individual parents to decide at what age they allow the child to make the decision about where they wish to live. Many children prefer the parent with the fewest “rules” favoring the one who lets the child “get away with” bad or inappropriate behavior more than the other. It is no guarantee that your 12yo child will be able to choose where to live. (Incidentally, Judges have heard literally everything. If a child is able to voice their opinions, then they can state which parent they choose to reside with. These folks “hear” that if a child is 12 (or 13 or 14 or 15…), the child has the right to make the final decision as to with whom the child wishes to stay. At What Age Can a Child Choose Where to Live? At what age can a child decide where she wants to live. 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