Can a 14 year old choose where they want to live?

Can a 14 year old choose where they want to live?

No, a 14-year old may not decide where she wants to live without going to court when there are existing Orders. When you are dealing with children in court, competent legal representation should always be sought, as the subject matter of the litigation is so very important.

At what age does a child have a say in where they live?

It is absolutely wrong to assume or tell a child that they get to decide where he or she will live once they turn 12 years old. Once your child turns 18 and is a legal adult, then a custody order does not apply and they can decide where to live. The closer your child gets to age 18, the more he or she has a say.

Can a child say who they want to live with?

This question potentially comes with the most ‘lawyer’ answer you will receive: it depends. The age at which your child can decide who they live with, who they spend time with and how much time they spend with that parent (if any) is dependent on a number of factors.

Should I force my child visit me?

Some parents have asked me whether they have to “force” their child to visit. Having said that, if you have a family court order that provides for a visitation schedule, then the safest answer is “yes” you must make the child go. If you fail to abide by the court order, there can be several legal consequences.

Can a 13 year old decide who they want to live with?

A judge may ask a child who is old enough (typically 12 to 14) which parent he or she prefers to live with the majority of the time. A judge will typically do this outside of the courtroom, to keep the child out of the case as much as possible. A judge will use a third-party evaluator to ascertain the child’s wishes.