Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

changing primary resident

My 13 year old has expressed wanting to live with me. Custody is shared with the other parent having primary resident. He states that when he is on vacation he�s not going back, and that I can�t make him. Him and the other parent are not getting along well. What could I do?


Asked on 1/16/07, 12:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Heffernan Heffernan Legal Group, LLP

Re: changing primary resident

Kids at that age are naturally rebellious and will try to play one parent against the other to their own advantage. Judges know this and look with suspicion on a kid's sudden desire to switch residences. There are times when a change is best for the child, and certainly when the child is older (16 or more) the court throws up its hands and says you can't force a kid to live where he/she refuses, but be wary of a 13 year old who may be looking for the more lenient parent.

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Answered on 1/16/07, 2:47 pm


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