What can I do if my daughter is 15 wants to come and live with me?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What can I do if my daughter is 15 wants to come and live with me?
Her mother moved 300 miles away (but still in the same state). I was in the gas and oil field but now I’m staying home. What do I have to do so she can stay with me?
Asked on June 29, 2015 under Family Law, Texas
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Assuming that there is a custody order in place, it will have to be followed. That is at least until it can be modifed by the court. This is so even if your daughter says that she wants to live with you.
Generally, a minor cannot choose which parent they want to live with; it is up to the court to decide. It will look to many factors - home environment, income/education of the parents, the child's relationship with each parent, the reason for wanting the change, etc.
Note: While a minor child cannot choose where to live, if they over the age of about 12 (it varies from state-to-state) their preference is a factor that is given consideration; the older the child the more weight it is given.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.