Legally, Your Child Can Refuse Visitation at Age 18 When your child reaches 18, he or she is an adult. Adults can decide who they spend time with. You will not be able to force your child to continue to see you. A family law court will no longer be able to enforce any possession or visitation clauses over an adult.

Can a child write a letter to a judge?

Can my child write a letter or a Declaration to the Judge? The answer is usually, no. If your child writes a letter or a Declaration to the Judge, the Judge will not read it nor will it be accepted by the court.

What age can a child talk to a judge?

The correct answer is that, at no age can a child tell a Family Court Judge or a Federal Circuit Court Judge what is in their best interests. Parenting Orders are determined by the Court with the best interests of the child being the paramount consideration.

Will a judge talk to a child?

Children speaking in court proceedings There is no automatic right for a child to speak at court, although this can happen. Given the inevitable pressure of speaking in court in front of parents, the other methods above are usually much better ways of assessing their views.

Can a 15 year old choose where they want to live?

California courts must consider and give weight to a childs preference when the child is of sufficient age and ability to voice an intelligent opinion on custody or visitation. (Cal. Fam. Children cant choose where to live until they are 18 years old.

Can a 15 year old refuses to see a parent?

You cannot physically force a fifteen-year-old boy to visit a parent if he doesnt want to. As such, family law courts typically hold the teenagers responsible for their behavior with respect to visitation, not the custodial parent.

Can a 12 year old have a say in court?

Although the law specifically permits children at least 14-years-old to express an opinion, there is no specific age when a judge will listen to a childs opinion. California statutes also permit a child younger than 14 years old to testify regarding a custodial preference, unless the court decides its not in the

Can I choose to live with my dad at 13?

If your parents cannot agree on who you live with, or on how much time you will spend with each of them, then it is ultimately up to a judge to decide. But since you are 13, the judge will likely give considerable weight to your wishes when making his or her decision.

Can a 13 year old be forced to visit a parent?

You do have to physically take the child to the place of handover as ordered by the Court. If the child says they do not want to go, you have a positive obligation to encourage the child to spend time with the other parent.

Can my 14 year old choose where to live?

If a child is at least 14, the law allows the child to state a custodial preference, unless the judge believes doing so would be detrimental. Children cant choose where to live until they are 18 years old.