How old does a child have to be to decide which parent he wants to live with?
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How old does a child have to be to decide which parent he wants to live with?
Asked on September 11, 2012 under Family Law, Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of most states in this country when a minor resides between two homes occupied by each of his parents and there is an issue where the child prefers to stay with one parent over another, the court begins taking the child's desires more into account when the child reaches 13 years of age and afterwards.
The child does not get a final say where he or she gets to live. However at age 13 and upwards, the court listens more and more to the child's desires and the reasons as to where the preferred main residence is.
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