Legal Question in Family Law in California

What age does my child have to be to choose to live with me?

I live in Michigan but my son, who is 12, lives with his father in California. Our divorce took place in CA. My son has expressed an interest in coming to Michigan for High School. This would be in the fall of 2004 making him 14. Our divorce was a very ugly one and his father will not give him up willingly. Is there an age in CA where a child can decide who he wants to be with? I pray every day that he will be with me.


Asked on 9/16/02, 3:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
PATRICK MCCRARY PATRICK MCCRARY

Re: What age does my child have to be to choose to live with me?

There is no magic age that a child can choose where he wants to live. The older the child, the more weight that the court will give to his stated preference. At 14 the court will give a great deal of weight to his preference and will probably let him live where he wants. Good Luck, Pat McCrary

Read more
Answered on 9/17/02, 12:37 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in California