child law????

Question

my step daughter asked her father in wisconsin if she could spend christmas with her mother and i in california. he said yes. then changed his mind. i try not to influence my (step)daughters decisions and want her to see her father out of state. my ?? is how old does a girl have to be in order to make a legal decision in the state of california and wisconsin??? she is 9 yrs. old. thank you for links or any info i can get

Answer 1

In Pennsylvania the age is 12 to be able to choose where you would like to live/visit. Or at least it was when I was 12 :D From what I have heard the age limit is less then that. In most states however the age range seems to be from 12-16. First I would speak with a lawyer and see what he says is the age of choice in CA. Secondly see if she can reason with her father (this may have already happened...I went through the same thing growing up). If neither of this works speak to a lawyer and see if it is possible to go to court and allow the child to speak. In some rare cases if the child feels threatened and/or scared in her father's home you can all speak in front of a court and plea her rights at the age of 9 where she will be allowed to choose where she would like to be. Because of the father I had growing up who liked to have me just for holiday's to show me off I probably have a good idea of what is going on. If he is anything like my father he really only cares about that and if she chooses to stay behind he will merely make threats. It is what cowardly father's do to upset their children and ex-wife. I hope this falls in her favor though...it would be awful to see a child go somewhere she did not want to be at any age.

Answer 2

In most states she has to be 18 years old. It's up to the parents to try to come to some resolution as to what is in the best interest of the child. I take it the Father in Wis is the custodial parent. Depending how the court order for custody was written as what rights the non custodial parent has. Cost of flights and an unaccompanied child could also be factors. There is not enough information in your post.

Answer 3

wait are we talking its his turn to have her for the holiday and she wanted to stay with you guys or does he have custody and she wants to come and see you guys....maturity plays a factor here....if the first is the case then there probably is nothing that can be done...it is his right and is set forth in legal agreement.... legally you would have to contact someone in your state - probably an attorney...if there are no trust issues at this point with your step-daughter and this is not just a power play or a tantrum then that avenue should not be necessary....use your judgement....i assume the father is giving flack about this....if that is the case then it is sad that he is using your step-daughter as a pawn in his own agenda to get back at his ex...otherwise chalk it up to a father who wants to spend christmas with his daughter

Answer 4

She has to be 18 to make her own decisions. At nine the adults in her life are supposed to make decisions that are in her best interest. Hopefully the parents can work out a compromise that will make everyone (including the child) happy.