At what age can a child decide custody in Washington State?
Asked by: Golden McDermott | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (5 votes)
According to the Washington statutes governing custody law, there is no established age younger than 18 in which a child can make a unilateral decision about which parent they want to live with. Typically, a judge will appoint a social worker or guardian to work with the child.
At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Washington State?
Up to that point, however, the situation is more complex, as there is no set age at which a child can refuse visitation. Obviously, the court may take action to enforce a visitation order when one parent is interfering with the visitation rights of the other.
Can a 14 year old choose which parent to live with in Washington State?
18. It is a common misperception that children in Wa. state have a right to choose with which parent they want to live -- THAT RIGHT DOES NOT EXIST. Child custody issues are solely within the province of a Judge and the child's parents. Children are never allowed to dictate in Wa.
Can a 12 year old choose which parent to live with?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no magic age where children get to choose which parent to live with. When a child is 12 or above, the Judge is REQUIRED to meet privately with the child if requested by a party in order to determine the child's desires. However, the Judge doesn't HAVE to do what the child wants.
What if a child doesn't want to live with a parent?
If a child doesn't want to live with a parent, it might be a safety issue. If your child is old enough, ask what is happening there that makes him or her not want to go. For small children, ask them to draw a picture of life at Daddy's house. A professional counselor and lawyers might need to be involved.
At What Age Can a Child Decide Custody?
What happens when a child refuses to go with a parent?
Sometimes, with older children who refuse visitation, it may not be considered the parent's fault if the visit didn't happen. But if a child continually refuses to follow the visitation schedule, regardless of the child's age, then a parent may decide to get the court involved through contempt proceedings.
What is cold mother syndrome?
Cold mother syndrome refers to a parenting style characterized by emotional distance, dismissiveness, and rejection. This type of mothering is often accompanied by a lack of emotional availability and neglect of a child's emotional needs.
Can I choose to live with my dad at 12?
In California, a child is considered to be “of sufficient age” to express a preference when they are at least 14 years old. Thus, any minor over the age of 14 years old has the right to express their preference of which parent they would prefer to live with after the parents' divorce or separation.
What do you do when your child doesn't want to see their dad?
It's important not to dismiss your child when they don't want to see their other parent. Have a conversation and listen to their reasons to validate what they're feeling. Sometimes, a child wants to feel heard. By listening, you could improve their outlook on shared parenting time.
Can my 15 year old son chose to live with me?
From a legal perspective, however, that decision doesn't fall to the child. No matter what the age. Until they turn 18, they have to abide by the parenting plan. The exception to this is instances of abuse or neglect, or when the child may be in harm's way.
What age does Washington State consider a child to be a minor?
(b) "Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age. (c) "Legal guardian" means a court-appointed legal guardian or court-appointed permanent custodian. (d) "Relative" is a person who is related to the pregnant or parenting minor as defined under RCW 74.15. 020.
At what age can a child refuse to go to a parents' house?
Contributor. Patricia writes about family law and tips for female lawyers. At age 18 in all of the United States, a child can decide not to visit the other parent without consequence to themselves or the favored parent.
What is the age of consent in Washington State at 14?
In Washington, the age of consent is 16 years old which means only individuals who are this age or older are able to legally consent to sexual activity.
Can a 13 year old decide which parent to live with in Washington state?
According to the Washington statutes governing custody law, there is no established age younger than 18 in which a child can make a unilateral decision about which parent they want to live with. Typically, a judge will appoint a social worker or guardian to work with the child.
What if my 14 year old doesn't want to see her father?
Whether a 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-year-old doesn't want to visit their father or mother, parents must remember that they are in charge and that it is their role to encourage the child to have a relationship with both parents, regardless of the guilt that parent may feel.
At what age can a child say they dont want to see a parent in Indiana?
What Age Can A Child Express A Custody Preference? In Indiana, if the child is 14 or older, the court will consider their preferences seriously.
Can a child say they don't want to see a parent?
Children's wishes are considered in court decisions but do not solely determine the outcome. There isn't a specific age in UK law at which a child can refuse contact with a parent. Courts balance the child's preferences with their welfare.
Can a 13 year old decide who they want to live with?
In California, children cannot choose where to live until they are 18 years old, but their preferences may be taken into account in custody decisions. If a child is 14 years or older, the court must listen to their opinion regarding where they would like to live unless it is deemed not in their best interest.
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that other parent.
At what age do kids get to choose which parent they live with?
What Is the Age Factor for a Child to Choose Their Custodial Parent? In California, a minor at least 14 years old can be considered “of sufficient age” to express a preference for which parent they want to live with.
At what age can children make decisions on their own?
Prior research establishes that children's involvement in decisions (either deciding with parents or deciding on their own) increases over ages nine to 13 (Yee and Flanagan 1985), while decision autonomy (deciding without parental input) increases over ages 12–17 (Dornbusch et al.
Is it normal for a 21 year old to live with their parents?
A 2024 Pew Research Center report shows that 57% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are living in their parents' households, as opposed to 53% that did in 1993. With this and an already rising cost of living, some feel like this reality might be lifelong.
What is mummy syndrome?
Mommy issues refer to problems forming or maintaining healthy adult relationships, due to a person's insecure or unhealthy relationship with their mother or another female figure in their childhood.
What is an emotionally unavailable parent?
Emotionally unavailable parents are individuals who struggle to connect with their children on an emotional level. They may be physically present but emotionally distant, preoccupied with their own concerns, or unable to provide the nurturing and support that children need to thrive.
What is the worn out mother syndrome?
Depleted Mother Syndrome is a condition that can occur when the demands on a mother increase, and her resources decrease. This imbalance can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, feelings of inadequacy, and a sense of being overwhelmed.