Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

There is no set age which would guarantee that the child will live with the person whom she chooses. The courts use the "best interests of the child standard." However, once a child is closer to the teen years and appears to be mature, judges will take the child's wishes into consideration. If your daughter's father is abusing her, I would report it to the Department of Children and Families or get your daughter into counseling so that the treatment by her father can be documented. You can then use those records to petition for custody (at least temporary custody while he undergoes counseling himself).

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