family law

[ara]

at what age can a child decide where and with which parent ,he /she wants to live?

[ummmm]

I think it's 12. If you go to court for custody I think the child has to be 12 before they are asked what they want to do

[PinkFizz]

I thought it was 14.Well thats what my solicitor told me a few years ago anyway.

[RATTER15]

If its a custody battle, the child is always asked at any age but at the end of the day it down to what is best for the child in the eyes of the courts.

[PinkFizz]

Children are not asked who they want to live with at a young age at all - the courts appoint

[PinkFizz]

Ratter15 - children are not asked who they want to live with at all - certainly not under the age of 8.I know as I went through this.The courts will appoint family liason officers who visit both parents separately and observe the child in each home and how they all engage together.They they see the child alone and just have little chats,do drawing,to try to find out how the child feels on the matter - but they do not ask them directly which parent they would prefer to live with.When the child is older they do take their opinion into account quite seriously.

[mollymandy]

a child should not have to choose ... both parents should love and care for there baby until they are 18 plus . THey should see both parents when ever they want

[raymond 42]

the nswer is twelve im almost certain u have to go to court and the judge will ask the child

[PinkFizz]

well said mollymandy!

[lynneylou]

hi

unsure but our 15 year old daughter decided she wanted to live with my sister and her hubby back in april and has been with them ever since (we don't talk anymore to any of them). apparently, once you've lived with someone for 3 months, they can legally be classed as your guardian!!!