How old does a kid need to be to choose which parent to live with?
How old does a kid need to be to choose which parent to live with?
There is no ‘Magic Age’ There is no fixed age when a child can decide on where they should live in a parenting dispute. Instead their wishes are one of many factors a court will consider in reaching a decision.
How far apart can parents live and still have 50/50 custody?
Rule of thumb is parents need to live within 20 miles of each other. Generally in cases involving parents that live more than 20 miles apart there’s usually a primary physical custodial parent because more than 20 miles just becomes too difficult to have the children going between two homes 50 percent of the time.
Can my ex partner stop me from moving?
Would a Court stop you and what exactly are your rights? The short and simple answer is your Ex-Partner cannot stop you moving away. The Courts recognise and will often sympathise with the Parent that will now have to live away from their child but will also realise that this is a practicality.
Can I move with my child if there is no custody agreement?
If you have never been married to the father and there is no court order about custody, then you can move out and take your child with you. You do not need court permission to move out with your child. But the father can file a paternity case at any time, and then try to get custody and parenting time or visitation.
How far away can I move from my child’s father?
There is no set geographical distance dictating exactly how far away you can move with your child, but but if that distance is deemed to significantly affect the other parent’s ability to have a meaningful relationship with the child, then the court will need to establish if the move is in the child’s best interests.
Can you move out of state with split custody?
If a parent who shares joint custody moves to another state, custody generally transfers to the other parent because children tend to do best in a place they’re familiar with. Each parent can submit their own proposal to the court and let the judge decide. A mediator can write up an agreement they help parents reach.
What do judges look at when deciding custody?
Judges must decide custody based on “the best interests of the child.” The “best interests of the child” law requires courts to focus on the child’s needs and not the parent’s needs. The law requires courts to give custody to the parent who can meet the child’s needs best .
