What rights does a 13 year old have in the event of a divorce?

Question

What rights does a 13 year old have in the event of a divorce?

Answer 1

Rights? You have no right's in a divorce, you are not married, you are the child. However, you do have a "CHOICE", you can go with your mom/dad to his/her lawyer and sign a waiver stating that you wish to live with them. This will have a big impact on the judge, but it is NOT the deciding factor. The judge will ultimately rule on whatever he/she feels is best for you, the judge might/might not talk with you. Divorce is hard, just keep your chin up and as long as your reasoning is honsest and you don't have a negative motive behind it (want to live with mom/dad cause they let me do what I want, stay out as late as I want, or don't make me do my chores, homework etc...) you should be granted your wish by the judge. ~Good luck~

Answer 2

You really don't have any rights.

What might happen is the judge may talk to you and see what parent you want to live with and why but that doesn't mean he will pick the one you want. He will pick the parent that he feels is the most fit and stable.

  Unless your mom is a complete nut case and abuses you, you will more then likely be given to her.  

Answer 3

They are old enough have say in who they live with or who gets custody.  Other than that very little, everything else is between the parents and not the child.  They have a voice in where they go, nothing else.

Answer 4

None. You only are of age to address the court in what your preference is when it comes to living arrangements. Doesn't mean the judge is going to allow it though.

Answer 5

They have the right to speak freely no matter what they say.... they have the right to choose who they want to live with. they have the right to come and go to either parent. they have the right to be respected during everything... they have the right to be spoken to honestly.

Answer 6

if your both good parents, but things are not working, and  if you really loved your kid and cared about who he/she is more happy with then they should have every right to be able to choose. if one parent is clearly a bad parent then none at all. kids deserve the chance to be happy.  

Answer 7

You may have a say in who you live with. In my state, because of your age, the judge may ask, but ultimately it's up to the judge where you go. Most of the time they do lean towards your preference. If it's at all possible, Joint custody would probably be awarded so you get to spend equal amounts of time with both parents, but it all depends on where both parents live, the ability to get you back and forth, if they are in the same school district, the cost of transportation. It's pretty complicated. But as far as rights, I'm sorry to say, you don't really have any.

Answer 8

You can choose who you want to live with. That is the only right you have.

Answer 9

Depends on the state. But you should be able to pick where you want to live.  

Answer 10

I've been here and done this with my kids. Do you have the right to speak in court and let your wish be known? Yes! Will the judge agree with you and allow you to live with the parent of your choice? Not always.

Really depends on how your parents get along with each other. If they do it makes it loads easier. Also, make a very nice list of the pro's and con's of each living arrangement. Judges look at which situation keeps you in the invironment you are used to. They do not like to disrupt a childs life too much. This makes it harder on the child.

This is were the parents come into it. If both parents live close to each other, school, relatives it is much easier for the judge to agree with your opinion of a living arrangement.

Answer 11

The only rights that i know of would be that maybe you get to choose who you want to live with. . .other than that, you have none. Just sit there and behave yourself. Just because the two of them can't live together, doesn't mean they both don't love you, they do! Please don't make it any harder for them than it already is.

Answer 12

they can choose who they wanna live with my nephew did it!

Answer 13

Depends on the state you live in.  In Indiana, you don't really get input as to where you want to live until you are 14.  However, if there is debate about custody... the Court will most likely appoint you a representative who will basically speak with you and the entire family and make a recommendation as to what they believe to be in your best interest.  

Answer 14

None, sorry to say this you might have the right to pick the parent you want to live with and that's a big maybe.

Answer 15

I think they have the right to chose who they want to live with