Can a 16 year old choose who they live with?

California courts must consider and give weight to a child’s preference when the child is of sufficient age and ability to voice an intelligent opinion on custody or visitation. (Cal. Fam. Children can’t choose where to live until they are 18 years old.

What do you do when your teenager wants to live with the other parent?

How to Respond When Your Child Wants Their Other Parent

1. Don’t Take It At Face Value. Your child may be very frustrated in this moment, expressing them self in such a way that may cause you some heartbreak.
2. Have Empathy for Your Child’s Emotions.
3. Keep Your Composure.
4. Stand Your Ground Peacefully.

Can a teenager choose who to live with?

Most states do not specify an age at which a child can choose which parent he or she lives with after a divorce. In general, though, courts do not ask a minor child who he or she prefers to live with after a divorce. However, teenagers may request to move in with the noncustodial parent for a variety of reasons.

What does a kid have to do to choose what parent they want to live with?

According to California Family Code Section 3042, if your child is “of sufficient age and capacity to reason so as to form an intelligent preference as to custody or visitation, the court shall consider, and give due weight to, the wishes of the child in making an order granting or modifying custody or visitation.” So.

Can I force my 16 year old to live with me?

You can allow your child to make this decision for themselves. This is your choice as a parent; there’s no set age that determines when a child is allowed to say where he/she wants to live. However, a child is not legally entitled to choose who to live with until the age of 16.

What to do when your teenager doesn’t want to live with you?

What to Do

1. Encourage open communication. Let your child know that you’re open to hearing what they have to say—even if you disagree.
2. Set communication ground rules. While different opinions are welcome, rudeness is not.
3. Be empathetic.
4. If possible, bring your ex into the conversation.
5. Express your fears.

Can a 16 year old choose which parent to live with in Texas?

Although children cannot officially decide which parent they want to live with until they are 18 years old, Texas law does allow children that are 12 or older to have a say in where they’d like to live, but ultimately a judge will make the final decision.

Can a 16 year old decide which parent to live with in Florida?

In Florida, the age a child can choose a parent to live with will depend on the child’s overall maturity. Unlike other states, in Florida, there is no particular age when courts must consider a child’s preference. Instead, a judge will decide whether: the child is intelligent enough to make a choice.

What to do when your child moves in with another parent?

Set Rules Rhonda C. and other Circle of Moms members agree that it’s important to maintain contact with a teen who moves in with his or her other parent. It helps to establish rules, both with your child and with your ex, Rhona adds.

What should I do if my 13-year-old boy wants to live with father?

Marie W. also suggests protecting yourself. ” You cannot let [your child] see you upset ,” she says, referencing her own experience with her 13-year-old son. “This is what he wants. Let him go live with his father. He may come back on his own later.

What to do when your child wants to live with your ex?

Hearing from your child that she wants to live with your ex instead of you is very painful indeed, but moms who’ve lived through it say that how you respond is what really matters. Here they share seven strategies to help you get through it, too. 1. Call Your Teen’s Bluff

Why does my ex-spouse want my child to move out?

If your ex-spouse still harbors ill will, he may be working behind the scenes to convince your child to move out from your home. For this reason, a Circle of Moms member named Jana recommends not crying in front of the child in response. “It does seem so cruel, but just try to keep your chin up and try to be strong.”