Legal Question in Family Law in California

My parents have been divorced since i was just a few months old. I'm seventeen now and live with my mother, but have visits with my dad every wednesday night from 6-8:30 and every other weekend. i am sick of feeling in the middle of my two families. Since i am seventeen now, is there a way that i can choose when i want to visit my mom and dad? or do i still have to follow the court order?


Asked on 2/23/10, 12:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

You still have to follow the court order, but only if one of your parents would object to you not. Until you are 18 you cannot decide who you are with when, but your parents should recognize that in less than a year you will be able to make that choice, and should be willing to have a conversation with you about accomodating your wishes now. If your parents agree on a change, they are free to disregard the order and do what you want. Try to bear in mind, however, that part of the reason the order is the way it is, is that no matter how you feel, maintining ongoing contact with both parents is important to your growth and development as a person. You also have to bear in mind that for better or worse you ARE part of two families and even though it was not of your making, it is a situation in which honoring your obligations to be a part of both families is important in ways you will probably not understand until you are a parent yourself, and maybe not for some time after that even. The more wisdom and maturity you show, and the more you have reflected on the whole picture and all the people affected, the more your parents are likely (likely, not certain I'm afraid) to listen to your wishes and consider ways to accomodate them.

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Answered on 2/28/10, 12:39 pm


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