At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Kentucky?
Asked by: Kari Gerlach | Last update: June 23, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)
It is important to note that in most family courts, until your child is 18, they do not get to decide with which parent they live or how often they see each parent.
What happens if my child doesn't want to see her father?
If a child expresses a desire not to see their father, it is generally recommended to address the situation through the legal system. Parents may need to go back to court to seek modifications to the existing custody arrangement, presenting evidence and arguments to support any changes.
What to do if your child doesn't want to go to their dad?
- Be Encouraging. Talking to your child and encouraging them to visit while allowing them to talk about why they don't want to go can help your child feel more comfortable. ...
- Involve Your Co-Parent. ...
- Smooth Transitions. ...
- Bring in Expert Help.
Can a 12 year old choose which parent to live with in Kentucky?
Kentucky does not have a specific age when a minor child can decide where they want to live. While the court may listen to the wishes of the child, they rely on other factors listed in the statute. The Court will also consider any other important factor in making its ultimate decision.
What is the new custody law in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, parents have the option of sharing 50/50 physical custody or designating one parent as the primary physical custodian while allowing the noncustodial parent significant parenting time. Regarding legal custody, both parents will have partial legal custody regardless of the physical custody schedule.
What Age Can A Child [Refuse Visitation] - Michigan Lawyers - ChooseGoldman.com
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.
Can I call the police if my child refuses to come home?
Is it possible to call the police on your own child if they run away and refuse to come home? What actions can the police take in this situation? Your child is a run away, call it in as such. If you know where they are let the police know as well, it's against the law to harbor a run away.
Can a child reject a parent?
There are many reasons why a child may reject a parent and resist spending time with them or refuse to. This rejection can be a natural consequence of experiences such as parental conflict before or after separation, family violence, personality factors, or poor parenting.
Can I sue my ex for not letting me see my child?
If your ex won't let you see your child in violation of the custody agreement, the family court can order them to comply with the court order. For more information about enforcing a parenting plan, talk to a child custody lawyer for help.
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.
What are the new child custody laws in Arkansas?
In 2021, Arkansas enacted a law that made joint custody the default option for all new child custody orders. Joint custody means the approximate and reasonable equal division of time with the child by both parents.
Can I force my child to see his dad?
You cannot physically force a fifteen-year-old child to see a parent if they don't want to. Threatening your teen with punishment will likely hurt more than it will help. The hard truth is that teenagers would likely rather be with their friends than their parents.
What age can a child decide not to see a parent in us?
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. Children who are considered legal adults (age 18 in most states) may always refuse to spend time with a parent.
What are the grounds for full custody in Kentucky?
Kentucky Family Law Child Custody
In order for a parent to obtain sole custody of a child—which means sole decision making—that parent will generally have to overcome the presumption of joint custody and show by a preponderance of the evidence that sole custody is in a child's best interest.
Can a 13 year old 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.
How do you deal with a child that doesn't want to see you?
Allow your child to ask for a change of times and days when they see you and help them to feel comfortable doing this. If what they're asking for isn't possible, then explain why and work together to find alternative solutions. Remember to listen to your child's point of view.
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.
What is narcissistic parental alienation syndrome?
It is a process of psychological refusal from a child towards his/her parent as a result of the influence of the other parent. Such a phenomenon usually emerges from conflictual conditions and, notably, in cases of child custody disputes, evolving into “emotional abuse”4,5.
What are the rights of a 14-year-old?
Your parents are your guardians until you reach the age of majority at 18 and therefore make all of the major decisions for you. Before 18, there are decisions that you are allowed to make on your own on a case-by-case basis. You are allowed to make certain medical decisions on your own by the age of 14, for example.
When should you call the police on your own child?
If you ever feel unsafe or physically at risk, or if you ever feel like your loved one is in imminent danger of harming themselves, you should call the police.
Can a non-custodial parent refuse to return a child?
If the noncustodial parent is withholding your child from you, it is parental kidnapping. Call the police to report it. They could send out an Amber Alert to locate your child, and the parent will be arrested.
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.
What age can a child choose which parent to live with in Kentucky?
When can my child decide which parent to live with? There is no magic age that a child gets to decide where they live. A child is a minor and the law presumes that a minor is not mature enough to make those types of decisions, regardless how mature they may seem.
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.