Legal Question in Family Law in Iowa

At what age can a child have a "say" in which parent they want to live with (custodial or non-custodial,) and how much "weight" will that pull in front of a judge? (I am the custodial parent of a 12-year old boy and have been since he was 2 yrs old. My son thinks I'm too strict and mean so he wants to live with his dad.) I guess what I'm wondering is do I fight to keep him or are my odds stacked against me since he is 12 and can voice his own opinion. Funds are limited on my end and I have two other children and am a stay at home mom. Thank you.


Asked on 10/12/09, 8:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

There's no hard and fast rule but the older they get the more likely the court is to be deferential to their wishes if they're reasonable.

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Answered on 10/12/09, 9:46 am


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