At what age can a child refuse visitation in CT?
Asked by: Miss Katrine Harvey Jr. | Last update: June 25, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (26 votes)
At What Age Can A Child Refuse To See A Parent In CT? In Connecticut, there is no specific age when a child can legally refuse visitation with a parent.
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.
At what age in CT can a child choose which parent to live with?
Under Connecticut law, there's no fixed age when a judge must consider a child's wishes regarding custody. Still, courts will generally consider the opinions of children aged 13 or older and disregard the opinions of children who are five or younger.
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.
At what age do children get to choose who they live with?
One critical aspect of California family law stipulates that children aged 14 or older are allowed to communicate their desired living arrangement concerning both custodial parents.
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.
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.
Can a mother legally withhold visitation?
California generally prohibits parents from withholding visitation unless there is a legitimate reason. Legitimate reasons can mean more than just disliking the other parent. Typically, a court needs to agree to withhold visitation if there is concrete concern that a child is unsafe when with the other parent.
Can I get in trouble for not letting my son's father see him?
They direct parents to comply with them. A parent who refuses to comply with a child custody order and stops a child from seeing the other parent violates the court order.
What is it called when a parent keeps a child from the other parent?
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.
When can a child refuse visitation in CT?
In Connecticut, there is no specific age when a child can legally refuse visitation with a parent. Instead, the determining factor for the court is the best interest of the child. While the child's preference is considered, especially for older children like teenagers, it is not the decisive factor.
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.
At what age does a child need their own room legally in CT?
DCF regulations bar a child age three or older from sharing a bedroom with (1) another child of the opposite sex or (2) one of the same sex who is a disparate age. No child over age one can share a room with an adult without the department's permission.
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.
How old do you have to be to not go to your dad's house?
There is no definitive age when a child can decide to stop visitation, but the courts do tend to look more kindly on older children or teenagers refusing visitation. However, without a change to a custody agreement, a child is legally obligated to follow the visitation schedule.
Can you be forced to take custody of a child?
If the parent does not want custody of their own child, the courts will find a place for her. Noa parents cannot be forced.
What if my son is refusing to see his father?
If a child refuses to visit the other parent, the custodial parent should encourage the child to spend time with the other parent. When children get older, the court may give the older child more discretion in deciding whether or not to visit the non-custodial parent.
Does my son have to see his dad if he doesn't want to?
The court will always encourage that children have a relationship with both parents. Therefore, children should always be encouraged by Mum to go and see Dad if it's a safe and loving environment. If there's a reason for them not wanting to go and see their Dad, then that needs to be looked into to try and resolve it.
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 to do if your ex won't let you see your child?
Court Enforcement
If your co-parent is still unwilling to work with you to reach an agreement and is refusing your visitation rights, it may be time to turn to the court system for legal help to enforce the visitation order.
What happens if the mother doesn't allow the father to see the child?
Violating a court order is a crime that can be penalized by high fines and fees, and even jail time. Judges put custody and visitation orders in place to bring order to custody arrangements, and they do not take it lightly when a parent disregards a court order.
Can keeping a child away from the other parent backfire?
Keeping a child away from the other parent can backfire in serious and permanent ways. If the other parent feels that the situation will not resolve itself, they have the legal right to bring the matter before the court to enforce the existing court order regarding the parenting plan and their visitation rights.
Can a 14 year old decide where he wants to live?
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. However, they can express that preference at any age, but it may not be viewed seriously when younger than 14.
At what age is a child accountable for their actions?
Specific ages
Other people put the age of accountability at 12 (since that was the age at which Jesus began to demonstrate his understanding of right and wrong) or 13 (the age of the Jewish Bar Mitzvah). Other groups accept the concept an age of accountability but avoid putting a specific number on it.
Can 12 year olds make decisions?
Young adolescents (12-14 years) are less able to create options, identify a wide range of risks and benefits, foresee the consequences of alternatives, and gauge the credibility of information from sources with vested interests.