Legal Question in Family Law in Arizona
Child's Leagal Rights- Do I Have A Choice?
My mother has full custody but i decided to live with my father. I am 17, am in colledge and have never been arrested. My mother threatens to bring me back to Arizona. Both are able to support and care for me. Do I have a choice as to which parent i will live with?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child's Leagal Rights- Do I Have A Choice?
If you are in college, I doubt that any Judge would honor Mother's request to force your return to her. Also, once you are 18, it is solely your choice.
The basic answer, though, is that you are allowed to express your desires in the event this went before a Judge, and the Judge is required to "consider", but not necessarily follow, your wishes.
If it went that far before your 18th birthday, you could also consider asking for "emancipation", which would again mean that all decisions would be solely up to you.
Call me if you would like to discuss this further.
/s/ Rich J. Peters
JON C. DAKE & ASSOCIATES
see our website at www.familylawaz.com