How old does a child have to be in order to pick which parent he wants to live with ?

Question

How old does a child have to be in order to pick which parent he wants to live with ?

Answer 1

i think its about 12 or 13

Answer 2

I don't think its fair for a child to have to choose. It makes them feel more like they are becoming the bad guy.... But if it came down to it,  I would say around 14-16yrs of age. That way they are old enough to hopefully know the situation and understand it to be able to make that kind of decision with out feeling terrible. Just make sure that when the day comes that the child does choose, that both parents don't fight and argue over it or even gloat over it, this would make the child feel even worse about the situation... besides children only want their parents to get along, so if they see hardship between their parents children always feel it's their fault for some reason or another.... Good luck it's tough being a parent.

Answer 3

i would say the teen years.

When i was 6 i wanted to live with my dad because i didnt want him to be alone, looking back if i had, i would be far more messed up and angry if i had.

As children get older they start to understand different environments and where they are more comfortable. So my suggestion; teen years.

Answer 4

i wud say 16

my parents made me chose when i was 13 and now im 14

it was to much pressure and i ended up living with my dad and then leaving him for my mom

its too hard:/

Answer 5

I would have to say that I don't think a child should ever have to decide that, or a teenager! That must be horrible. But I think that a child shouldn't be allowed to decide until a teenager. Because when a child, they can easily be bribed or feel worse for a parent and go with them. I know of a friend when a kid had to decide and she was only 11 and was already fighting with her mom so choose her dad and said that was horrible, her dad worked all the time and she had no woman to talk to about "girl problems" and couldn't even have a s*x talk with her dad because he would just laugh it off! So be careful

Answer 6

It depends on your country's laws and your state's laws or province's laws.  Most states in the USA the child has to be 13 years old.  In Saudi the 9 year old boy can decide if he wants to live with his mom or his father(In the event of a divorce).  Once the girl reaches 7 she is automatically put into the full custody of her father. This is to protect her and keep her from being raped, molested or abused by her stepfather.

Answer 7

i think it's somewhere between 15-18, but i think different cities/county/states have different one. but that's only if the parent fight over the child. the age is really only used for court

Answer 8

in most states it's 12 or 13... it is a court process, and costs money... so if you or someone you know wants to live with the other parent, make sure that's your final decision... going back and forth doesn't fly.

Answer 9

it depends on the state that you live in. in California, you have to be 15.  

Answer 10

A child can express his wishes to the judge when they are about 10-13 depending on the maturity level they are at but the judge will always get the final say.  Some kids will go in there wanting to be with the "cool parent" so the judges really want to know what the reason is behind wanting to live with one parent vs the other.  

Answer 11

depending on the state usauly 12 years

Answer 12

It depends on the state.  And the judge.  There are certain states that have a certain age in which they will take the child's decision into consideration, but it all depends on the judge.  In most cases the judge will decide if the child is old enough.

In order to fully answer this question, you will need to contact the court or look up your state online for the proper information.

Good luck, normally if the child is old enough the judge will take their decision into consideration and usually decide in favor of the child, given there aren't any extenuating circumstances.

Answer 13

most states it's 12.

Answer 14

i do know in iowa they have to be 13.  

Answer 15

i think its 13.

Answer 16

uhmm usually around 16.

sayy if your living with your mom right now and you want to stay with her, & you visit your dad and he wants you to live with him and hes fighting for you  & you seriously want to live with your mom, when your 16 you can get a emancipation, that means you choose when you want to see the parent you dont live with and they have no say.  

Answer 17

Any age, but if we're talking child custody, it's usually 12 or 13.  Sometimes a judge will take the child into his/her corners to ask the child his wants.