Legal Question in Family Law in California

There is a relatively new statute that requires the court to hear from the minor child in custody cases if the child is 14 or older. A child never gets to decide, however, which parent he or she wants to live with. If the parents cannot agree, the court must hold hearings and determine what is in the best interests of the child. The child's wishes are only one factor to be considered. Finances are not considered at all, since child support orders can correct for any imbalance between households in terms of income.