Can a 14 year old decide where he wants to live?

Asked by: Nick Wunsch  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (4 votes)

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 a 14 year old choose where 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.

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 do you get to pick where you live?

Unlike adults, who have the freedom to choose their living arrangements at the age of 18, minors do not have an explicit choice. The decision regarding a minor's custody is ultimately determined by the court, which considers various factors to ensure the child's best interests are met.

At what age can a child make their own decisions?

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.

When Can My Child Choose which Parent They Live With

27 related questions found

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 a 15 year old 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.

Can I choose where I want to live at 15?

Child's Preference

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 a 14 year old decide who they want to live with in Michigan?

Judges will allow children to express a preference. However, children cannot legally choose where to live until they have reached the age of 18 or are determined to be emancipated.

At what age will a judge listen to a child in NC?

There is no clear rule regarding when judges start to take the desires of children seriously.

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.

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 the malicious parent syndrome?

The syndrome's definition encompases four major criteria: (1) mother who unjustifiably punishes her divorcing or divorced husband by attempting to alienate children from the father, involving others in malicious actions against the father, or engaging in excessive litigation; (2) mother who specifically attempts to ...

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 to do when your kid says they want to live with the other parent?

What To Do When Your Child Wants to Live With Their Other Parent
  1. Don't Take It Personally. ...
  2. Keep Communication Open. ...
  3. Consider Bringing Your Ex Into The Conversation. ...
  4. Think About What Happens if You Let Them Go.

Can you live on your own at 14?

In most states, you must be at least 16 years old in order to become emancipated. In some states, however, that age is lowered to 14 years old. Look up your specific state laws before starting the emancipation process. Teens willingly living apart from their parents or guardians.

Can you choose where to live at 14?

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 a parent withhold their address?

Quick Answers. You can be protected from disclosing your home address under certain circumstances. However, the Court usually expect you to share your address with the other parent, and some state laws require such disclosure.

Can my 15 year old son chose to live with me?

It does happen. From a legal perspective, however, that decision doesn't fall to the child. No matter what the age. Until they turn 18, they have to abide by the parenting plan.

At what age can a child say they don't want to live with a parent?

However, family law courts typically hold parents responsible for following the court's custody order. 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.

Can I go live with my dad at 15?

Your father will have to file a modification of custody in court in order for you to live with him full time and change the current order. Because even if your mother agrees, only a court order will legally change custody and child support.

What is the family code 3042?

3042. (a) If a child is of sufficient age and capacity to reason so as to form an intelligent preference as to custody or visitation, the court shall consider, and give due weight to, the wishes of the child in making an order granting or modifying custody or visitation.

At what age can a child make decisions about where they live?

The ultimate decision of whether or not your child will declare their preferences in court is up to the judge of your case. If the child is 14 or older, or they are seemingly mature for their age, the judge will most likely allow them to directly address the court with their preferences for custody.

How much freedom should a 14-year-old have?

Give freedom in increments: It can be overwhelming to a teen to suddenly lift all their boundaries; they don't know how to handle it and it can lead them to partaking in risky behavior. Instead, allow them small freedoms and see how they react before adding more freedom.

Do 14 year olds make good 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.