Children's custody - When can kids decide which parents to live with?

Normally, there is no specific age, but children can decide which parents they live with. If parents do not agree to custody or visit, it is usually necessary for the court or judge to decide. Children do not have to choose parents to live in, usually, age and maturity of children, case. In general, the older the child is matured, the more likely the court listens to his / her wishes and will receive more weight than he / she has given her choice.

For example, in California, the court "in the court 's intention to adopt a child (California Code of law Article 3042 (a)) if it is judged that it has sufficient age and detention ability, the reason for the desire of children It is an important factor and requires serious scrutiny.

Also, the court usually has discretion and control over the examination of the child as a witness, and if the court judges that it is not his / her thing to summon the child as a witness, her best Profit. The court can instruct or provide indirect or alternative means of obtaining information on the parent's preference as a parent, in order to protect children's best interests. / A part of her direct problem. In general it is that courts and judges do not want to place children under juvenile in the middle of conflict of children by choosing minor children among their parents.

The overall best interest of a child is the standard of customs decision and revision in California Family Code Section 3040 and is almost all state standards. Child preferences are generally only one of many factors that the court may consider and are used to determine the overall best interests of the child against all other factors We prioritize and emphasize. Regarding the legal advice on your state laws and laws, I'd like to consult with your local child lawyer as to when you can decide which parents should live with you when they can live with you.