Legal Question in Family Law in Wisconsin

Can a 12 year old choose a parent?

my 12 year old keeps asking ''Dad, I want to live here with you, can I go to school here?'' What are her rights? I also have a 10 year old son and he wants to live here too. Right now we have joint custody, the kids with mom during school year except every other weekend, and the opposite arrangement during the summer. They have two brothers and a sister and a stepmom here, and nobody at their mom's. Yes, mom does drink a bit, does embarass my 12 year old by passing out on the couch with a pizza burning in the oven, but is this enough to revise custody? What are my chances? Please email me at--name removed--cvol.net... thanks


Asked on 2/02/03, 6:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Mahoney Cassiani Law Office, Wise Shepherd Law Office

Re: Can a 12 year old choose a parent?

Hello,

Yes a 12 year old has some say. The test is best interest of the child. However, it is usually tougher to get things changed once they are set. It is impossible for me to tell what your chances are with the facts I have at hand. It might be difficult if some kids are with you and some with her. The thought might be for each of you to have some, and not all the kids one place, and none at the other. Maybe you can have a mediation and arrange to change things around once in a while by agreement. Worth a try. Good luck. Mark J. Mahoney

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Answered on 2/02/03, 9:03 pm


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