i'm wondering, if a married couple gets divorced, and they have kids that are in their teenage years, who gets custody over them? can the children decide who to live with themselves? because i heard somewhere that once a kid of a divorced family turns 13, they can choose which parent to live with, is that true?
2007-11-28 11:57:04 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
A childs right to choose can be at any ageas long as they can understand reasoning. Anyhow the courts will usually award custody with support to the Mother unless shes ruled unfit via child and/or drug/mental charges. A parent has to petition the Judge to let the children decide their parent.The Judge then usually takes the kids into his chambers and asks thm some questions and if he likes the answers,and there is no objections or problems then h will let the kids tell him their choice which hes takes under advisement but no guarantee he will follow their choice. Hope this helps and Happy Holidays
2007-11-28 12:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by Arthur W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the judge, the parents wishes, and the state your in. Usually though the kid goes with the mother. The legal standard is usually the "best interest of the child" As for the amount of weight given to the child's opinion, a small amount will be given with increased amounts given the older the child is.
2007-11-28 20:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jacob W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋