What is the age in Tx that a child can decide who he wants to live with?I thought it was 12.Answers please.?
Answers:
While the court is bound, in most states, to conduct an "in camera" (private) interview with the child to determine the child's preference in living arrangements, there is no magic age when a child can choose which parent they want to live with and have it bind the court. However, the age and maturity of the child will be taken into consideration, and when the child is between 13 and 17 the court will normally give greater weight to the child's preference.
The reasons that a child gives may influences the court more than the age. A court can consider whether the child has been spoiled or "bought" by a parent, or whether the child prefers to live with a parent because that parent is very liberal in their attitude about partying or curfews. The court will look to give custody to the more nurturing parent, and they favor the party who shows more stability and exhibits good parenting judgment, one who tries to promote a good relationship between the child and the other parent and who does not undermine the other parent, in an effort to "win the child over". Very often the children can sense this and they will express that to a court. Often there are good reasons why the child is more comfortable living with one parent. Certainly, at age 15 or 16 this alone may be enough if that parent is otherwise stable and nurturing to the child.
It may be twelve, but I don't believe the child's wishes trump the parents, if you were talking about a divorce for example.
I think it's 13.
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