At what age can a child make their own decisions in California?
Asked by: Adelle Hansen MD | Last update: June 15, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)
A: In California, children are able to express their preference regarding custody and visitation at any age as long as they are mature enough to demonstrate intelligent reasoning on the subject. However, they cannot make the final decision regarding where they live until they turn 18 years old and are a legal adult.
At what age in California can a child decide which parent to live with?
When Can A Child Decide Which Parent To Live With In California? In California, a child's preference in custody matters is not the only factor considered by the court, but children aged 14 and above can express their parental preference to aid in determining custody.
At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in CA?
Children can decide where to live only when they turn 18. It is a myth that children can choose which parent to live with once they reach 12 or 14 or even 16.
Can 12 year olds make their own medical decisions in California?
Family Code § 6929(b) provides that a minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to medical care and counseling relating to the diagnosis and treatment of a drug or alcoholrelated problem. 7. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 121020 and Cal.
Can 10 year olds make their own decisions?
Children cannot make major decisions independently until they are legally considered adults at age 18. Once legally considered adults, they can decide things like visitation without parental involvement.
At What Age Can My Child Choose Where to Live?
At what age can a child make their own decisions in Canada?
Prior to the age of 18, the decisions that affect a child are in the hands of his or her parents. (This coincides with the law that legally requires parents to financially provide for their children until the age of majority.)
What should a 10 year old be able to do independently?
- How to Clean. ...
- How to Find their Way Home. ...
- How to Make Healthy Choices. ...
- How to Use Basic Tools. ...
- How to Prepare a Simple Meal. ...
- How to Manage Money. ...
- How to Have Good Manners. ...
- How to Show Gratitude.
What is the age of consent in California with parental consent?
The legal age of consent in California is 18 years old. A "minor" is someone under the age of 18 years. At 18, the law deems someone old enough to consent to have sex. It's a crime to engage in sexual activity with any person under 18.
Is it illegal to talk to a minor without parental consent?
It is not a crime for an adult to communicate with a minor. However, if you contacted or communicated with a minor with the intent to commit a crime, you could face criminal charges. This can get tricky in situations where you did not know the age of the person you were communicating with.
How old do you have to be to make your own decisions in California?
California's legal ages laws, for instance, establish that an individual reaches the "age of majority" at 18 years old. The laws also state that children must generally be 14 years of age or older to be eligible for emancipation. Through emancipation, a minor may legally remove themselves from their parents' care.
What age can a child decide not to see a parent in Canada?
A child's views and preferences under the new Divorce Act
There is no specific age – such as 12 or 14 – when children get to decide who they will live with. Each child is unique, and their views are one factor that a judge will consider when deciding what parenting arrangement is in their best interests.
At what age can a child speak in court in California?
(2) If the child indicating an interest in addressing the court is 14 years old or older, the judicial officer must hear from that child unless the court makes a finding that addressing the court is not in the child's best interest and states the reasons on the record.
What if my 14 year old doesn't want to see her father?
Family law courts prefer that children spend quality time with both parents in a custody agreement. If a child refuses to visit the other parent, the custodial parent should encourage the child to spend time with the other parent.
Can a 12 year old refuse visitation in California?
A: In California, children are able to express their preference regarding custody and visitation at any age as long as they are mature enough to demonstrate intelligent reasoning on the subject. However, they cannot make the final decision regarding where they live until they turn 18 years old and are a legal adult.
Can a 13 year old choose where they want to live?
The age to express the child's preference varies from one state to another. In California, a child is considered to be “of sufficient age” to express a preference when they are at least 14 years old.
How to get full custody of a child as a mother in California?
To petition for and win sole legal custody, you have to prove that it is in your child's interests. If you can prove that your co-parent is unfit, unable to care for the child's basic needs, or a danger to the health and welfare of the child, the court may consider this reason to award you sole legal custody.
At what age can a child make their own medical decisions in California?
MINOR MUST BE EMANCIPATED (GENERALLY 14 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER) LAW/DETAILS MAY/MUST THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER INFORM A PARENT ABOUT THIS CARE OR DISCLOSE RELATED MEDICAL INFORMATION TO THEM? An emancipated minor may consent to medical, dental and psychiatric care. (Cal. Family Code § 7050(e)).
Do you legally have to listen to your parents at 18?
After You Turn 18? Great. You're a legal adult. Your parents are no longer legally responsible for you, and they don't have control over you.
Is there a Romeo and Juliet law in California 2024?
California does not have a Romeo and Juliet law, meaning it's always PC 261.5 statutory rape.
What is the lowest age of consent in the world?
The lowest age of consent is in Nigeria (11), followed by the Philippines and Angola (12). The age of consent is 13 in three countries – Niger, Comoros, and Burkina Faso. The countries where the age of consent is 14 include a number of South American countries: Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
What are the minor consent laws in California?
Minor consent laws allow young people aged 12 and over to consent to certain services without parent or guardian involvement. Minors may consent to certain services related to sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and drug and alcohol treatment.
At what age does a child become independent from parents?
Children who are around 8 years old might be ready to have a sleepover, attend an overnight camp or even walk to school alone (so long as the conditions are safe). At this age, their independence really starts to shine through as they do not rely on their parents or guardians quite the same way as younger children do.
At what age can a child walk to school alone?
Technically speaking, the recommended age for kids walking to school alone is 10. But as the case is with all things parenting, this can be open for interpretation. “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids are not ready to walk to school alone until about fifth grade or around age 10,” says Dr.
At what age should a child know how do you count to 10?
Though every child is different, most toddlers will be able to count to 10 by the time they are two-years-old. At this point in time they are probably repeating them mostly by memory and have yet to understand what they actually mean. This concept is known as “rote” counting.