In law, there is no fixed age that determines when a child can express a preference as to where they want to live. However, legally, a child cannot decide who they want to live with until they are 16 years old.

Secondly, How does child custody work in Montana? In Montana, the court system uses parenting plans to determine the custody of minor children, including when and where each parent will be with and responsible for each child. It also includes who is responsible for decision-making and provides for the financial care of the child.

Does Montana favor mothers in custody cases?

Montana courts prefer to keep both parents equally involved in their child’s life as well as with important decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. Judges also prefer that both parent meet their responsibilities when it comes to the child by working together and co-parenting.

Similarly, What are grandparents rights in the state of Montana? Do I have a legal right to grandparent visitation? In Montana, grandparents have a legal right to request reasonable contact with their grandchildren at any time, including before or after one parent’s death, divorce, and/or separation. This right applies to biological or adoptive grandparents and great-grandparents.

Can a 14 year old refuse visitation Texas?

At What Age Can a Child Refuse Visitation in Texas? In Texas, there is no age under 18 that allows for a child to refuse visitation. Visitation is the right of the parent, and it cannot be taken away by the custodial parent or child. The only option would be for the custodial parent to request a modification of orders.

Do step parents have rights in Montana? Under Montana law, legal provisions do exist to grant child visitation rights to step-parents under certain circumstances, so visitation can be readily applied for. In all cases, third-party visitation rights are more likely to be granted by the court if they are deemed to be in the best interests of the child.

What do I do if my child doesn’t want to see his dad? When a child is sick or otherwise unable to make a visit, the parent with present custody of the child must notify the other parent as soon as possible and work out a make-up visit. Most custody orders don’t spell out a parent’s role in facilitating visitation other than making a child available for visits.

What do you do when your child doesn’t want to see their dad? Encouraging Visitation

  1. Remember your role as a parent. Keep in mind that you are the one calling the shots, not your child. …
  2. Talk to your child about why they don’t want to go. …
  3. Get your co-parent involved. …
  4. Make parenting time transitions as smooth as possible.

At what age can a child say they don’t want to see a parent in Texas?

In Texas, there is no age under 18 that allows for a child to refuse visitation. Visitation is the right of the parent, and it cannot be taken away by the custodial parent or child. The only option would be for the custodial parent to request a modification of orders.

What do I do if my daughter doesn’t want to see her dad? Encouraging Contact

  1. Remember your role as a parent. Keep in mind that you are the one calling the shots, not your child. …
  2. Talk to your child about why they don’t want to go. …
  3. Get your co-parent involved. …
  4. Make parenting time transitions as smooth as possible.

Can a child refuse contact with parent?

Can I refuse contact? Contact should only be refused where there is very good reason for doing so, for instance if there is an issue of safety or violence, when contact could be refused. Refusal to allow a parent to have contact is likely to result in an application being made to court.

What is the most psychologically damaging thing you can say to a child? Luke adds that “the most psychologically damaging thing you can say to a child is a lie that they find out later was not true. If this pattern repeats enough times, it will be very psychologically damaging.”

How old do you have to be to decide which parent you want to live with in Texas?

Although children cannot officially decide which parent they want to live with until they are 18 years old, Texas law does allow children that are 12 or older to have a say in where they’d like to live, but ultimately a judge will make the final decision.

At what age can a child choose which parent to live with?

The welfare of the child will be of paramount consideration in determining which parent the child should live with. The child’s wishes may also be taken into consideration if the child has sufficient maturity to express which parent he/she wishes to live with. The child must usually be above the age of 10.

Can a parent stop a child from seeing the other parent? Key Points. Your partner cannot legally stop you from having access to your child unless continued access will be of detriment to your child’s welfare. Until a court order is arranged, one parent may attempt to prevent a relationship with the other.

Can I stop my child from seeing his dad? A mother cannot stop a father seeing his child unless the court orders to do so. If the child is scared of the father due to some kind of abuse or harm, then the mother would need to speak to the child and gather evidence which may prove the child being at risk.

Why would a child not want to see their dad?

The reasons as to why your child is refusing visitation with your co-parent are unique to your situation, but some causes might include: Your child is unhappy with the rules they must follow at your co-parent’s house. Your co-parent lives far away from their friends, school, activities, and other things they enjoy.

At what age does a child have a say in family court? Generally speaking, a child who is 12 years of age/in their early teenage years will have more influence in respect to their wishes and feelings than a much younger child. The majority of child arrangement orders are in place until the child turns 16 years old but they can be extended to 17 and 18 years old.

Can a mother deny a father access?

Unfortunately, it is quite common for mothers to stop a father’s access to a child merely by refusing to let them see them. However, fathers do not often recognise that they have the same rights as mothers. This means in terms of child contact that they are entitled to have access to the child as much as the mother is.

What is aggressive parenting? Antagonistic Aggressive Parenting (HAP) can be characterized as a general example of conduct and control that either straightforwardly or in a roundabout way. Such type of parenting: Makes undue challenges or impedances in the relationship of the child with someone else.

What is considered a toxic parent?

What is a toxic parent? A toxic parent, says Dr. Childs, is a parent that puts their needs before their child. “They’re more self-centered than other-centered,” she adds. Coupling these with other traits can give you a good idea of whether or not your parent or parents are toxic.

What is an enabler parent? What is an enabling parent? An enabling parent is someone who does what their child asks of them, even when it’s not good for their child. Examples of that are giving their child money whenever they ask for it. It could be letting adult children live with you indefinity without asking for rent.

How child custody is determined?

The Supreme Court establishes that ‘the first and paramount consideration is the welfare and interest of the child and not the rights of the parents‘. “Custody of child shall be handed over to such a person who fosters him with care, love and affection.”

What do judges look for in child custody cases? The child’s age, gender, characteristics and background will all be a factor in the decision process. The judge or magistrate will want to ensure that the child is safe from any possible harm and the parent has the ability to meet the child’s needs.

Does a child have a say in custody?

This is your choice as a parent; there’s no set age that determines when a child is allowed to say where he/she wants to live. However, a child is not legally entitled to choose who to live with until the age of 16.

What is the normal child access arrangement? Typical child contact arrangements can be for short periods of time such as a few hours, or it can be for days or weeks at a time. Many children stay overnight with their non-resident parent on a regular basis whilst others see their children for a shorter period of the day or have regular weekend contact.


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