After the age of 12, however, the court may consider the child’s wishes in conjunction with other factors. A child need not be at this magic number, but generally it is a good number. Age Limit. How To Get a Pennsylvania Divorce Without Your Spouse’s Signature, Filing a Pennsylvania Divorce With Out of State Spouse. We regularly get asked at what age can a child decide which parent she or he will live with. The answer is âit depends.â. In practice, by the time a child reaches 16 or 17 years old, courts take the preferences of children very seriously. Child custody is one of the most complex matters in a Colorado divorce case.Determining which parent will receive joint, shared, or full custody of children will become a decision of the court, if the parents cannot agree to custody terms on their own. Frequently, the person asking is under the impression that a child can make their own decision after they turn 12; I am not sure where this persistent rumor comes from but it may have something to do with parents thinking custody in the event of their death. Frequently, the person asking is under the impression that a child can make their own decision after they turn 12; I am not sure where this persistent rumor comes from but it may have something to do with parents thinking custody in the event of their death. If you think that your childâs preference could be a factor in your custody case, contact our office today for a consultation and we will be more than happy to discuss with you the facts and circumstances unique to your case. Many times, due the multiple factors that a court considers in determining the best interest of the child, decisions are very fact dependent and each case must be evaluated individually. If a child is able to voice their opinions, then they can state which parent they choose to reside with. The common perception is there exists some magic age where a child can definitively decide whether to live with mom or dad in a custody or divorce case. When Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live with in Rhode Island? The legal standard for child custody determinations is the best interest of the child. There are many factors that come into play when the courts determine with whom the child will live. A child cannot choose which parent they want to live until they are 18-years-old. This is not the case. This means that a child who is 10 may, in some situations, be able to have input into where he or she will live after a divorce. wanting to live in their childhood home, stay at the same school, etc.) Most fourteen year ⦠We have a 15 year old granddaughter that has lived with her father since she was 7. Currently, there is no specific age where the Court will consider the wishes of a child in deciding custody matters. Nowhere in this statue does it states that a child of a certain age gets to choose his or her custodian. In other cases, again based upon the court’s discretion and determination, an individual child might not have sufficient age and capacity to form an intelligent decision at the age of 15. This can create further conflict, hard feelings and strain on the relationships. We don’t require any sort of court appearance or office visit – you’ll go no further than your own mailbox for the entire process. At what age will the court consider the child’s wishes? In such a discussion, the Judge will assess the child’s maturity and ability to understand the situation. Can my child choose where he"ll live?" Some parents believe that a child can choose who they want to live with. What is the age that a child can choose who they live with? 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