Should the kid have the right to choose?

Black Mamba

i dont think a 14 year old is old enough to know whats good for them. i think the courts are the best ones to decide this kind of thing.

Evelyne L

yes at that age the childs imput has an impact on the judges decision.

k.carter

Yes most def.!!!

PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION!
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ama7DrMrGaJZdlb8Ux0KyD3sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080512183443AAEIO7Z

Iroc24

If both parents are fit to be parents, I think that any child over twelve should have a say.

Hispanic! At The Disco

they should. i didn't and it pissed me off. really pissed me off.

bostonredsoxfan15

yeah i choose

Betty M

If the court finds that both of your parents are fit to raise the child, then at the age of 14 a child can choose which parent he/she wants to live with, instead of the court deciding that for the child. The child will probably have to appear in court and tell the judge during the child custody hearing which parent he/she wants to live with and why.

womanofghostbear

i think that the court should consider the 14 year old choice first in thier custody judgement. but other factors should also be considered. i think the parents should make the 14 year old not fel like he is taking sides for choosing one parent over the other.

CRAVIN

Misha

I believe 14 is the legal age where the child has enough ability to chose for themselves but certain factors can negate that ability.

Legandivori

The courts in many states allow a kid at 12 to express opinions and usually the court Will honor the kid's wishes. IN states where there is no joint physical custody and no no fault divorces, this kills men...In NY, the NOW organization got in 1989 enforced laws. The percentage of the man's pretaxed earnings minus FICA are 17 percent for one kid, 25 percent for two kids, twenty Seven percent for three kids, and so on...That leaves very Little to live on. Most men wind up in a single room in NY or share an apartment with one or two other men because they are left with barely weigh for food and clothes after taxes are taken out in middle class areas...or the men disappear because they feel they will be living in poverty. Many women are already either remarried and have duel incomes PLUS the man's share, who they divorced, or else, are living high on the hog with a rich second husband, Only 4 percent of men get custody in NY!!!!.

Sophiesmom

You have rights even as a kid...Just tell the judge which one you want to live with...Just know you will hurt the other.

missy p

yes by law in most states the child above the age of 12 is capable of choosing which parent they want to live with

chip_and_chipper

i can see yes, and i can see no.

yes. some kids are smart enough to make decisions like that.

no, some are not.

think about it. some kids might just be being bought off, or bribed. so i think it should be left up to court. they look at finance, they ask you for your say, and they will decide what is best.

even if you may not like it at the time, it is most likely what is best for you.

unknowing

I think that the child should have a say in how he/she lives with. However, screening should be done to be sure that the child is not being coersed, manipulated or threatened into a decision.

July C

A kid of 14 year old kid has the right to choose with one of his parents he wants to live. Of course, he will choose the one that he knows is going to take care of him and the one from he feels real love.

gwennthered

At this age kids usually do have input and normally a judge will want them available for questioning during proceedings (usually in chambers).

If the kid wants a major change in residence that would include new house, new school, etc. then the judge will have to factor in whether the kid is one who seems able to adjust to such a big change. If a kid has chronic behavior problems, emotional problems, bad grades, etc. then a judge may be reluctant to allow such changes for fear the child will become worse due to all the adjustments required.

A judge will also consider evidence presented by both parents, and, if the parents are fighting over the child, usually the child will have a guardian ad litem appointed by the court to testify to the child's best interests. This person is someone who will research what is in the best interest of the child and tell the court what they think.

sarah b

it has nothing to do with the impact on the judge, i am 12 and my parents are divorced, the divorece had made me grow up a littel and i can make the dissicons on my own.

Rey Rey

when my parents got divorced, my dad got custody of me and my brother when we both wanted to live with my mom. that was when i was about 8 and now im 16 and im still hating it. so i think its a good idea to consider your children's feelings.

PeaBee

Most states' courts would allow a child to chose the parent that would have primary custody by that age. Then the other parent has the child on some weekends and other days on school breaks.

Some states let the child choose by age 10. Others by age 12.

koloradokrazy

the kid should definantly be able to chose for themselves. its their life.

Brandy S

well actually some states the children have that right at the age of 12... other states they have "a check list" each parent gains points for questions that are asked "how much do you make" "do you own your home" "have you ever been arrest" ect..

Mikayla S

yes they should because its that person they are goin to have to spend their life with till they move out of the house and it was the parents fault that they mested uo the kids life by divorcing. So, they can at least let them choose who the kid wants to live with! :)

name

ya they should be able to choose :)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsU9km.L78bkkCOcch1B5CDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080512183131AAueonj

Rabbit

In my State, a child over 12 can indicate a preference to the Court of whom he wants to live with. It isn't set in stone, but the Court does listed to where the child wants to be.

And yes, I think a 14 year old should be allowed to decide unless there is an unsafe situation with the parent he chooses.

native1

You can choose who you want to live with at the age of 12 .
But this needs to be done in a court of law .
Which ever parent you are wanting to live with , go to them and tell them that you want to live with them full time and ask if they could please speak to a lawyer & or judge .
Good luck

Lee21

Yes.. in texas a child 13 or older can chose.

Lulu

yes- 14 is old enough to know whats what.

Like if it was a four year old, there's a chance that they don't realize that one parent is good and one is bad...ie, they might choose their dad because he lets them eat candy all the time, even though the dad is an alcoholic or something.

When you're 14, you're aware of whats important. So yeah.

josiejo

ok a kid does have choices..in nyc my sister and her husband are fighting over custody..which means they are now in court. Than the court appointmented the 10 and 13 year olds there own lawyer.. the kids want t live with there dad and the court is agreeing

now, if you are picking one parent over the other do it for the right reasons..who has been there for you with all there love, who has compassion and your best intrest in mind....do not do what my sisters kids did and pick the parent who can spend money on computers, video games, etc...pick the parent ho understands you and loves you unconditionally..and if they both love you and you love them..do joint custody and maybe spend mon thru thurs with one parent and the weekend with another....just do not blame yourself..divorce is the parents fault and not the kids

Dakota

choose? really.

Omar Rodriguez

I think the people who state that kids shouldn't have a choice or that the legal age is 18 is because they themselves are in that situtation and are denying the child the choice for child support that only goes to the parent

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: