Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: leagle age a child can choose a parent

Generally, a child cannot petition the courts to ask to change households. It would be the parents who would need to petition the court based upon the child's stated wishes. There is no age where the court will absolutely follow a child's wishes, but the court will listen to the child's desire at any age. The older the child the more weight the court will give the child's desire. A three year old would have little or no input into where he or she lives, a 15 year old will almost always get his or her desires. There is no legal standard, only a decision made by adults in the best interest of the child. Good Luck, Pat McCrary