Sometimes during custody battles or residency decisions parents find themselves involving their children. They do so sometimes hoping the opinion of the child will affect the outcome. Other times, the children themselves may ask for a change. The child’s desire may be influenced by many outside influences; sometimes they might want to be closer to a particular school or friends.
Generally, custody, residency and access decisions are matters for parents to decide. When parents are unable to reach a decision, they may turn to a counselor for guidance. If that too is unsuccessful, parents may then turn to a mediator and/or lawyer.
Often, the age of twelve is considered a turning point, a time period when the opinion of a child may begin to give added weight to these decisions. However, this number is not set in stone. The child’s maturity, the situation and parental influence will also be important factors. One must also not forget that the needs of the child and the respective parent’s ability to meet those needs in a appropriate and timely fashion are also reviewed. That said, the decision still remains in the hands of adults, be they the parents, professionals or courts.
Whether child initiated or parent initiated, parents are encouraged to sit down with each other and their older children to discuss openly and sensitively as much as possible. If in the end parents are unable to resolve matters between themselves, they should consider consulting a counselor, mediator or lawyer to aid in their decision making process.
Just remember, while parents may consult with their older children, one hopes that in the end they will keep the hard decision making process to themselves.
For more information please contact the Law Offices of Steven Chroman at 661-362-0718 or visit the website at www.chromanlaw.com.
This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.