Is there anyone here who knows about Washinton State law?

Question

At what age in Washington is a child allowed to pick which parent they want to live with most of the time as residential custody if both parents have joint custody and one has residential and the other has summer time and the holidays?

Answer 1

I know most states say it is age 14, but you can call the Washington law library or look it up on line and read Washington child custody laws and it should say. Also, anyone at the courthouse should be able to tell you this. I know a boy who just recently went to live with his father because he just turned 14 and his mother was driving him to insanity.

Answer 2

Physical Custody Guidelines.
The court shall make residential provisions for each child which encourage each parent to maintain a loving, stable, and nurturing relationship with the child, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and economic circumstances. The court shall consider the following factors when determining the residential custody of the child:

1. The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship with each parent, including whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parenting functions relating to the daily needs of the child;

2. The agreements of the parties, provided they were entered into knowingly and voluntarily;

3. Each parent's past and potential for future performance of parenting functions;

4. The emotional needs and developmental level of the child;

5. The child's relationship with siblings and with other significant adults, as well as the child's involvement with his or her physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities;

6. The wishes of the parents and the wishes of a child who is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to his or her residential schedule; and

7. Each parent's employment schedule, and shall make accommodations consistent with those schedules.


Depends on the judge I suspect, I don't think there is a law in stone. They do consider the childs wishes, but children often pit one parent against another, especially older ones who don't like rules!

Answer 3

Hi hunny,, I went on line for you and I'm pretty sure in any state it is 12 years old but I'm not absolutely sure here is a good web sight for Washington state
www.problemrelief.com this is about divorce and custody..

Good luck!! I do know since i have full custody of my step daughter that If dcf takes the child out of a home they don't get a choice till they are 18!!

Tracey

Answer 4

14