How old does a child have to be to decide where he lives?

It was my understanding that once the child turns 9 the judge will take the child's request into consideration.

It's a trick question. USED TO BE that a child over a certain age could sign a statement to be filed in the parents' divorce, stating that the child preferred to live with a particular parent. The legislature changed the age every couple of years, so one year it's age 13, then another year it's 11, or whatever. The problem was the kid would spend the weekend with Dad, then on Monday Dad's attorney would file the form with the court that the kid preferred Dad. Then, the kid would spend next weekend with Mom, and the following Monday Mom's attorney would file the form where the kid preferred Mom. And, it wasn't binding on the judge: it was just something for the judge to consider if the judge had to decide where the kid would live.

Finally, this last legislative session, they saw the futility of the system and did away with this form entirely. So, it's up to the judge, unless the parents agree. And everybody should consider what the kid wants, but not be bound by it.

As has been stated, maximum older toddlers do comprise issues. If a baby is placed up for adoption while they are older, that sometimes ability that they are orphans (not quite common) or they have been taken faraway from their mothers and fathers because of the fact they have been undeserving. this means the youngsters have long surpassed with the aid of, often years of, abuse or ignore. As for race or ethnicity- there are a pair motives. some people want young toddlers that look like they do. Others think of they gained't be waiting to furnish a baby of yet another race with a connection to their historic previous and background. Or that's something smaller. while i replace into looking into adoption, i didn't want to undertake a black baby because of the fact i would not understand a thank you to do their hair. stupid- specific. even though it replace right into a valid worry that I wasn't on my own in. I even have in view that quite got here across adoption companies which will tutor instructions for white mothers and fathers to earnings a thank you to do a black baby's hair. As for spending money on theory- people want their own toddlers. i'm torn between adopting and employing man made techniques of theory because of the fact I do want a baby who sounds like me. i want to be waiting to appreciate in the event that they have my eyes or nostril. i'm going to in all probability do the two yet the two way is going to fee a superb type of money. Adoption isn't low priced and each now and then is quite greater high priced than theory help. additionally, i don't think of desiring your guy or woman baby is undesirable. i think of the individuals in charge are people who've toddlers and can not, thereby coming up a equipment finished of toddlers that could desire to be observed interior the 1st place.

I would guess that it depends. The judge has the final decision in a divorce, but often judges will speak to older minors to have their input on the situation. My young friend spoke with a judge because she DID NOT want to live with her mother. She ended up with her dad, and her sister ended up with the mom.

My parents asked my opinion when I was 8, but it really didnt matter since we were basically on a 50-50 split anyway.

18 , but the courts have been known to take the childs request into consideration.

13-14 years it changes sometimes depending on what part of Texas your in.