Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

change in custody

At what age can a child decide which parent they want to live with?


Asked on 10/06/07, 6:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: change in custody

Eighteen. Before that it is up to the parents or the Court.

In WA, courts do not want to hear from children, and children who say terrible things to their guardians ad litem about the parent they live with are sometimes not believed.

The GAL is the interface with the Court, not the child. Court's rationale is that being a child whose parents are fighting is bad enough without the parents brainwashing the child to hate the other parent.

Elizabeth Powell

Read more
Answered on 10/06/07, 8:01 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Washington