At what age can a child decide which parent they want to live with in Texas?
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At what age can a child decide which parent they want to live with in Texas?
18 years old
Can a child choose not to visit a parent in Texas?
In the majority of states, including Texas, children under the age of 18 cannot legally make the decision themselves whether or not to see their parent. I tell the parent I am meeting with the only people who get to make decisions regarding the child’s visitation is the parents together or a Judge.
What do I do if my child doesn’t want to see a parent?
Talk to your child about why they don’t want to go Try to get to the bottom of why your child doesn’t want to spend time or stay with your co-parent. Let your child express their feelings to you without judgment. When it’s your turn to respond, do so with kindness and understanding.
What do I do if my child refuses to visit the father?
You do have to physically take the child to the place of handover as ordered by the Court. It is not enough to simply take the child to handover. If the child says they do not want to go, you have a positive obligation to encourage the child to spend time with the other parent.
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.
Can my 15 year old choose to live with me?
It’s important to understand that just because the law permits a child to express an opinion doesn’t mean the judge has to follow the child’s preference. Children can’t choose where to live until they are 18 years old. Courts will generally give more value to older children’s opinions than those of younger children.
