Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: custody of 14-year-old

Is your question whether or not your son can change the court orders? For an official change in custody to happen, someone must petition the court requesting that the custody be changed. Once the court orders are changed, then the new custody arrangment is official.

Your question involves more than the law, though. Children need different things from both parents at different times in their lives. Often, the "absent" parent (i.e. Dad who lives far away) is idolized...or maybe your 14 year old boy just needs a closer relationship with his dad. Before you go to court either to have the original order enforced or to change the order, consider seeing a counselor who specializes in child development issues, or even your son's school counselor....part of your decision needs to rest on what's best for him. Good luck. These are tough decisions.