Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Legal age to select where you want to live

I am 17, will be 18 in September. My mother is in jail and my father is trying to get custody of me. My stepfather is the man that I consider to be my father and want to continue living with him. I understand that he doesn't have any rights, but do I have a choice where I want to live? I also have a twin brother who feels the same and I have a younger brother who is the one that DOES NOT need to go live with our real dad, but I guess he doesn't have a choice (he is 14).

I am afraid that we will not even be given the chance to go before the judge.

Do I have a right at age 17 to decide where I want to live and go to school?


Asked on 5/25/08, 1:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Armstrong The Law Office of John W. Armstrong

Re: Legal age to select where you want to live

Yes you have a choice. In fact, your twin and little brother all have a choice. If your mother is represented by an attorney or if your step-father has an attorney then you need to contact them and there is a document that each of you can sign stating your preference of where you want to live and your step father may have more rights then he thinks if you have resided with him for a long period of time, particularly when compared to your father. But you all need to get with the attorney representing your mother and/or step father.

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Answered on 5/25/08, 1:50 pm


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