Typical Age for "Child" Deciding?

[Ron1347]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

What would the typical age of a child be, that a judge would be willing to listen to the child themselves, as to where they would truly like to live (with whom)? As I've said in another post, the two grandsons of which I speak are, 8 & 9 years of age. I am aware that a child cannot 'choose', but only give their 'reasons', and it is still a judge's decision regardless. Thank You.

 

[GothicAngel]

I think in a perfect world with mature minded adults keeping the best interest for the child first, the child would be able to live with the parent he or she choses and noone fights about the money. But, unfortunately that's never the case.
Then again each county is different. seek legal advice, maybe something can be worked out?

 

[clomicka]

I have asked this before...and

You probably won't get an answer and receive harsh comments from some senior members out here.

You can't do much of anything, unforntuately. The law isn't any help and the judicial system doesn't care.

Good Luck

Make sure you don't post similar things because they will bash you for it out here.

See my post from today where someone found all my previous posts from 4 mos. and made sure they tried to make us feel bad for wanting to make a child's life better.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

You probably won't get an answer and receive harsh comments from some senior members out here.

You can't do much of anything, unforntuately. The law isn't any help and the judicial system doesn't care.

Good Luck

Make sure you don't post similar things because they will bash you for it out here.

See my post from today where someone found all my previous posts from 4 mos. and made sure they tried to make us feel bad for wanting to make a child's life better.

You got advice that was congruent with the law for FL. You didn't like the advice and were futher upset that you had not got the advice you wanted in the past and thought we were as stupid as you and wouldn't notice your previous posts. NOw you want to go around and spew sour grapes. Grow up and get a life. https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=236833
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=211771 https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=218666 https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=218670

OP,
There is no age when a child gets to decide, if and or when the question is asked, the judge decides whether or not they will conisder the child's voice. The same child may be considered in one court and not another. If there is a question of whether or not the child's best interest is being met a Guardian ad Litem may be appointed by the court to represent the child.

 

[stealth2]

clomicka - don't hijack other people's threads to suit your agenda.

Ron - in addition to what rmet wrote, a lot depends on the maturity of the child. Typically, judges will start to give a child's wishes some consideration around 12, but it could be older and it could be younger - depending on the child.

 

[Ron1347]

I see! Thank you very much!! You all have been very kind and helpful and courteous with all my questions and concerns. And I have others, hope you are prepared, lololol. The one, the only, the best thing I have, is what's best for my grandboys! Period, the end, that's all! Even if it doesn't happen to set well with, or favor, 'us'. The 'us', is secondary to the welfare and best interest of our grands, whether we like it or not! Our boys' health, safety, welfare, needs, and wants, are absolutely #1 priority! Sometimes it may hurt 'us' some, but hey, that's life, however painful it may be. "We" don't count? Well, if it's right for the children, then so-be-it! May not always be what we want to hear. May be difficult to swallow. May do a lot of crying, complaining, boohoo'ing...oh well. I'm not prepared to hear what I don't want to hear, but yet, I am. The kids, the kids, the kids...<---most important!

Again, thank you all!

 

[kidoday]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

What would the typical age of a child be, that a judge would be willing to listen to the child themselves, as to where they would truly like to live (with whom)? As I've said in another post, the two grandsons of which I speak are, 8 & 9 years of age. I am aware that a child cannot 'choose', but only give their 'reasons', and it is still a judge's decision regardless. Thank You.

Honestly in Michigan it is up to each judge in each county.

Some judges will take a childs voice into account at the age of 12, others 14. I haven't ever heard any younger than 12. I do know that judges will listen for example to a 12 year olds voice with a 9 year old sibling. Judges do not want to separate siblings so they go with the older voice.

Also for example in the county I live in, the judge almost always grants shared custody if asked for, or if the child requests it. In the county next to me, the judge never grants it, even with the childs request. Unfortunately in Michigan there isn't a set standard.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Honestly in Michigan it is up to each judge in each county.

Some judges will take a childs voice into account at the age of 12, others 14. I haven't ever heard any younger than 12. I do know that judges will listen for example to a 12 year olds voice with a 9 year old sibling. Judges do not want to separate siblings so they go with the older voice.

Also for example in the county I live in, the judge almost always grants shared custody if asked for, or if the child requests it. In the county next to me, the judge never grants it, even with the childs request. Unfortunately in Michigan there isn't a set standard.

As I said, there is no age, it all depends on the judge in the end even in GA where there is some code covering this. That is why requesting a GAL may be the least stressfull way of addresing these issues when there is strife betwixt and between the interested adults.

 

[kidoday]

As I said, there is no age, it all depends on the judge in the end even in GA where there is some code covering this. That is why requesting a GAL may be the least stressfull way of addresing these issues when there is strife betwixt and between the interested adults.

You didn't read my post right. I said I haven't heard of any judge taking into account of a childs voice younger than 12. You are correct in saying there is no age; nothing printed that you can find, or nothing any judge will admit to. I just know what I have heard in Michigan courts.

OP you can follow Rmet, and get a GAL, but it still depends on the Judge.