Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Age of choice for children in Tennessee

I live in Illinois, and my stepdaughter lives in Tennessee. We would like to know how old a child has to be before they are able to choose who they want to live with, without having to fight for custody of her. Also, we have received papers to increase childsupport, which is not the reason that we are asking the question. We have wanted to do this for a long time. We would also like to know the standard procedures regarding who can claim the child on taxes when it is not in the divorce degree stating which parent is allowed to do this. Thank you.


Asked on 7/20/99, 8:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jes Beard Jes Beard, Attorney at Law

Re: Age of choice for children in Tennessee

In Tennessee a child needs to be 18 before they can decide where they will live. In other words they need to be an adult. Now at age 12 the child has a right to tell the court which parent they want to live with, but the court is not required to follow the child's expressed desire.

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Answered on 9/12/99, 3:36 pm


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