Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania
Child Custody
Can a child choose on his/her own at the age of 18 which parent he wants to live with without having to go through the legal system; i.e. court custody hearing?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Child Custody
The general age for emancipation is 18 unless the child has yet to graduate. At that point the duty to pay child support ends. At 18 the child is an adult under the law so he can choose to live where he/she wants.
{John}
Re: Child Custody
You asked about an 18 year old child deciding with which parent to reside.
Unless there are extenuating circumstances that would suggest the child was unable to make a mature choice then the child's wishes are often followed as young as the age of 12 and almost always followed at the age of 16. An 18 year old may live wherever s/he wishes.
Regards,
Roger
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