What is the age at which a child can decide which parent they want to live with in New Jersey?

Question

i'm turning 16 and i want to live with my dad. but my mom won't let me because she says she has primarily custody. so i need to know what the age would be.

Answer 1

While the court may take your thoughts under consideration I believe you are still considered a minor.  And since your mom has primary custody of you as much as you would like to have the final say I don't think you do.

Answer 2

I am not positive but in the case i knew about it was 9 years old.

Answer 3

i think its 13 when a court looks at a childs opinon

Answer 4

In my country a child can decide wich parent he wants to live with, when he is 10. I live in Romania btw

Answer 5

You can make a decision at whatever age you become capable of abstract thought.

The court won't care until you're 18, when enough seconds have passed for God to whack you with the smart stick and make your opinions matter (because yesterday you were too stupid but today you're not).

Answer 6

In the state of New Jersey, a child can decide which parent they want to live with at the age of 16yrs. It's not like you just wake up one morning, say, "I want to live with ____." and it happens. There's a process you need to go through. Research it yourself so YOU have something to back yourself up with.

Best Wishes =]

Answer 7

at 12 they can sign a declaration.  But I warn you (from experience)  the judge do not like that at all. Because from the court point of view, you put more emotional stress on your child for you benefit by placing your child to choose between one or the other parent because you as adults can not get along.  And if it is coming from your end with this paper...the judge will defintly look down on your best interest of the child.  What happens is that the child is placed in the middle of a battle--and being tugged both ways. Placing your child in this position to make an ultimate choice to choose one over the other can do serious emotional/mental damage even if you do not see it and cause displacement. So go to a family counselor first and work as hard as you can with the other parent to make the decision rather than ask your child.

Answer 8

a lawyer once told my aunt that there really is no such age...until adulthood. until then (adulthood) they are legally not mature enough to make that decision for themselves. but that may have changed.