Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: childs custody

No, a judge in washington has the statutory right to ask a child in chambers what they want, but they don't tend to do that.

What they do is appoint a guardian ad litem to suss out the facts and bring the facts to the trial court so the court can decide.

It is considered very difficult for kids to put them on the spot like this and make them decide. Either way, the court will shield the child from being personally responsible for making that sort of statement, because the court knows it will destroy the relationship with the unchosen parent and the child, and that isn't considered in the child's best interest.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell