At what age (in California)does a child have the choice of choosing which parent they prefer to live with?

Answer 1

as long as both parents are suitable the child can choose around age 12. its not entirely up to the child but at that age the judge generally does what that child wants.

Answer 2

Never. A child does not get to make that decision and they should not be asked to do so.

Can you imagine the kind of choice that many children would make? Would they choose the best parent? Or would they choose the parent that had the most money, fewest rules, best manipulation tactics?

And, imagine being a child, who loves both of your parents, having to tell one parent that, if forced to make a choice, you wanted to live with the other? What parent would want their child to feel that kind of anguish?

A judge in a custody case will *always* consider the child's wishes, at any age - either directly by speaking to them in chambers or through the child's court appointed counselor or Guardian.

A judge will never let the child make the final decision -or- be responsible for the final decision.

"Divorcing parents need to know that the most generous, the most loving gift each parent can give their children is his or her permission for the children to love the other parent and to accept love from the other parent. Many parents involved in custody disputes do not give their children that gift of permission. They give their children Sophie's Choice."

http://www.alllaw.com/articles/family/child_custody/article12.asp

Answer 3

Legally children under 18 do not have a choice. However, most judges will take it into consideration when they are around 12.

Answer 4

In my state it is 10-11 years old.


http://www.alllaw.com/articles/family/child_custody
I read on this website though that judges decide not kids which i know can't be true.