At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Washington state?
Asked by: Darby Morissette | Last update: September 19, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (52 votes)
Just like the decision as to where to live, children can refuse to visit a parent once they have turned 18. Up to that point, however, the situation is more complex, as there is no set age at which a child can refuse visitation.
Can a child refuse to see a parent in Washington State?
In Washington, children cannot legally violate custody arrangements on their own. This is because custody and visitation orders are court-ordered agreements that parents must follow.
What if my child doesn't want to visit his father?
Notify and involve the other parent
If your child refuses visitation, notify your co-parent as soon as possible. Use a method of communication that can document the incident and can prove when you told your co-parent.
Can a 13 year old decide who they want 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.
At what age can a child refuse to go to a parents' house?
Generally speaking, 14 and above is the proper age, but many states do not have a set age, they rather take the child's wishes into consideration beginning at age 14, but no actual age to make such a decision.
What Age Can A Child [Refuse Visitation] - Michigan Lawyers - ChooseGoldman.com
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.
Can a 14 year old choose which parent to live with in Arizona?
Answer: Arizona law does not generally allow a minor child to formally "choose" which parent he or she will live with.
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.
Can I choose to live with my dad at 13?
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 you move out at 16 in Washington?
Any minor who is 16 years of age or older and a resident of Washington may petition for a declaration of emancipation. If granted, parental obligations are terminated including financial support, care, supervision, and obligations imposed by reason of dissolution such as child support.
What if my child is refusing to go to the dads?
If the child is adamant that they no longer want contact with the other parent and have resisted contact on multiple occasions then either parent can apply to the Court to either amend or enforce the order.
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.
What do I do if my child doesn't want to see his 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 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 14 year old decide where he wants to live?
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.
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 12 year old choose which parent to live with in Washington state?
While I cannot speak to the laws of other states, under Washington State law, an unemancipated person under the age of 18 does not have the ability to make their own residential decisions. The parents (and sometimes the court) are the ones who are empowered to make those and most other decisions for the child.
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.
At what age can a child decide which parent they want to live with in Illinois?
How Old Does a Child Have to Be to Declare Parental Preference in Illinois? There is no set age when a child gets to decide who they live with. Other than when they are 18, but then they are no longer a child. The older and more mature a child is, the more the court will value their opinion.
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.
Can a 17 year old go to urgent care alone?
California law stipulates that an emancipated minor may, inter alia (among other things), “consent to medical, dental, or psychiatric care, without parental consent, knowledge, or liability.”13 Likewise, West Virginia has recognized the “mature minor” exception to the common law rule that parental consent is required ...
At what age can a minor choose their guardian?
A child never gets to pick who has custody or are their guardians. But they can express who they want and why, and the judge will take it into consideration, more so the older the child is. But at the end of the day, it's the judge who picks who the child lives with.
Can a mother refuse access to the father?
The answer to this question is almost always “no,” especially if there is a court order granting custody and parent-time to your child's father. What follows are potential exceptions to this general rule, but you should not withhold your child without discussing it with an experienced family law attorney beforehand.
What to do when your kid says they want to live with the other parent?
- Don't Take It Personally. ...
- Keep Communication Open. ...
- Consider Bringing Your Ex Into The Conversation. ...
- Think About What Happens if You Let Them Go.
Can a 12 year old decide which parent to live with in the UK?
When a child reaches the age of 16, he or she has the legal right to choose where they want to live, unless there is a Residence Order or Child Arrangements Order in place that specifies the child's living arrangements.