At what age can a child decide not to see their father UK?

Asked by: Dr. Lexi Lubowitz II  |  Last update: October 31, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (19 votes)

Legally, Your Child Can Refuse Visitation at Age 18
This is the legal answer. When your child reaches 18, he or she is an adult. Adults can decide who they spend time with. You will not be able to force your child to continue to see you.

What age can a child refuse to see a parent UK?

For children over the age of 15, you can expect to take their wishes and feelings very seriously. In fact, the Court may decide to not make an order at all. In short, regardless of the age of the children, wishes and feelings will be taken into account to varying degrees.

At what age will the courts listen to a child UK?

The government has made the commitment that from the age of 10, children and young people involved in all family court hearings in England and Wales will have access to judges to make their views and feelings known.

What age can a child stop seeing their father UK?

Once a child reaches the age of 16, they are legally allowed to choose which parent to live with. The exception to this is where there is a Court order (such as a Child Arrangements Order) stating that they should live with one parent until, for example, the age of 17 or 18.

Can a mother legally stop a father from seeing his child UK?

According to UK law, the child has the right of meeting both parents. Also, both the father and the mother have a right to partaking in parenting. Therefore, a mother cannot prevent a father from meeting the child unless doing so predisposes the child to risks.

At what age can a child decide with which parent they want to live?

17 related questions found

What do you do when your child doesn't want to see their dad?

If your child is refusing visitation with your co-parent due to a reason that directly concerns their safety, bring this to the attention of your attorney or other legal professionals immediately. If the reason does not directly impact their safety or well-being, your child should attend visitations.

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent?

Legally, Your Child Can Refuse Visitation at Age 18

When your child reaches 18, he or she is an adult. Adults can decide who they spend time with. You will not be able to force your child to continue to see you. A family law court will no longer be able to enforce any possession or visitation clauses over an adult.

Can a 12 year old child decide which parent to live with UK?

In England and Wales a child can choose who to live with from the age of 16, unless there are certain Court Orders in place that say otherwise. However, you can allow younger children to make this decision for themselves if you wish, but their decision alone won't have any legal standing.

What is classed as an absent father UK?

It doesn't matter how long the father has been absent from the life of his child, as parental responsibility is not lost by the operation of law unless the absence without a trace is for at least six years or more, when the absent father with parental responsibility may be presumed to have died.

Can the courts force a child to see a parent?

The Court of Appeal have confirmed the position that, if a child is refusing to see the other parent, the parent with whom the child resides needs to ensure that the child is encouraged to see their other parent the first instance. This particular case had been before the courts since 2008.

Do mothers have more rights than fathers UK?

However, it remains a common misconception that mothers have more rights than fathers. In fact, if each parent has parental responsibility for a child, their rights and responsibilities are equal.

At what age does a contact order stop?

A child arrangements order for contact usually lapses when the child reaches the age of 16.

Can kids speak court?

Children speaking in court proceedings

There is no automatic right for a child to speak at court, although this can happen. Given the inevitable pressure of speaking in court in front of parents, the other methods above are usually much better ways of assessing their views.

At what age does a child have a say in family court?

Generally speaking, a child who is 12 years of age/in their early teenage years will have more influence in respect to their wishes and feelings than a much younger child. The majority of child arrangement orders are in place until the child turns 16 years old but they can be extended to 17 and 18 years old.

Can a mother stop a father from seeing child?

A mother cannot stop a father seeing his child unless the court orders to do so. If the child is scared of the father due to some kind of abuse or harm, then the mother would need to speak to the child and gather evidence which may prove the child being at risk.

Can a 10 year old decide which parent to live with Scotland?

If you don't have parental responsibilities and rights, it's up to the child's mother to decide what's best. You have no legal right to make these choices. If you can't agree with the child's mother, you can get family mediation to help find a way.

What is considered an absent father?

Father absence occurs when parents separate and the father no longer lives with his children. Parental separation has been proven to affect a child's development and behaviour.

What makes an unfit parent UK?

What exactly is an unfit parent? The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.

What rights does a father have UK?

In England and Wales a father will automatically have parental responsibility over a child if they are named on the birth certificate or married to the mother. Parental Responsibility gives you the right to make decisions about a child's upbringing.

Can an 11 year old decide where he wants to live?

The most significant issue that the judge has to find out your child's wishes is primarily where they will live. A child under the age of 12 does not have the right to speak to a judge in this way. In that case, it is up to the judge to decide whether or not to speak to your child.

Can a 10 year old decide where to live?

We are often contacted by parents asking at what age children can decide for themselves where they will live after a divorce or separation. There are lots of articles on the internet about this, and a good number suggest that at a certain age e.g. 10, 12 or 16, a child can make their own decision. This is not the case.

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

Say these 5 things for the good of your child.
  1. “This isn't about me.” You don't have to say this one out loud to your child, but you definitely need to hear it yourself. ...
  2. “I know this is hard.” As much as I wanted to tell my son, “You're on vacation! ...
  3. “OK. ...
  4. “I'm sorry you feel that way, but…” ...
  5. “I'll talk to your dad.”

At what age can a child say they don't want to see a parent in Wisconsin?

At what age can a child refuse visitation in Wisconsin? In Wisconsin, children cannot dictate where they reside but the courts may take the child's preference into consideration at about age 14 or when the child can articulate a preference and a reason for the preference.

What is toxic parenting?

What is a toxic parent? A toxic parent, says Dr. Childs, is a parent that puts their needs before their child. “They're more self-centered than other-centered,” she adds. Coupling these with other traits can give you a good idea of whether or not your parent or parents are toxic.

What is malicious parent syndrome?

"Malicious parent syndrome" is when one parent seeks to punish the other parent by talking poorly about them and/or doing things to place the parent in a bad light, particularly in the eyes of their children.