I am 15 and I want to live with my mom, can I choose where I want to live?
Question Details:
I am a 15 year-old girl living in and I want to go with my mother who lives out-of-state. They have joint custody. My father does not want me to move. I've lived with my mother for 10 years and then I moved with my father for 2 years. Can I choose where I want to live?
The court has determined that your parents have joint custody. However, you need to find out from the court or one of your parents' attorney whether the court ordered you to live with one parent versus the other or gave your parents the right to decide. There may be reasons that you are not aware of that you are living with your dad. I suggest that you talk to your parents in a mature way and indicate why you want to move and the benefits. Ultimately, your mom can seek a court order that provides that you can go live with her. However, the court wil first have to decide whether that is in your best interests. Resolving this outside the court is the best way to go.
No, you probably can't, although I would hope your father would be willing to listen to reason. You can't start the change-of-residence motion yourself; if your mother were to start it, I'm sure that the judge would listen to what you have to say. The better your reasons are, the more weight they will be given. But it still won't be the last word.
Anyone looking at your case is going to want to know why you moved from your mother's home to your father's, two years ago. I'm sure that wasn't up to you, and I know that two years can bring a lot of changes for someone your age.
If you can think of a way that would make sense, for you to spend more time with your mother, you might suggest that to both parents yourself. You might not get the complete change of residence you want, at least not right away, but you might get something of what you need out of the situation.
