Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
Child Custody
What age will my child need to be before he can voice where or with what parent he wants to reside with in the court?
Father currently has residential custody and my child wants to live with me and I with him. (We reside in Florida)
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child Custody
There is no magic age. A court will consider what arrangement is in the best interest of the child. At about 12 years of age, depending on the maturity of the child, a court will consider the expressed preference of the child. A party may ask the court to allow a psychological evaluation to study and recommend to the court what custody and visitation arrangement is in the best interest of the child. As a child becomes older, reaching the teen years, the court will give increased weight to his/her preferences, especially if he/she is mature.