How can I, at age 17, change custody so I can live with my father?

IF there is Court ordered custody in favor of your mother your father would have to file with that same Court and request that custody to changed to him.

The Court will hear you but will make a decision based on what it believes is in your best interest.

Depending on how close you are to 18 you could very well turn 18 before the case is heard. At 18 you can "usually" make your own decision.

How would I go about requesting the custody change? And on average how long does the change of custody through the court take?

your father would have to file with that same Court

As Judy said, you couldn't request it, your father would need to do that.

Didn't you read what Judy said? YOU can't do anything. Your father has to file the papers. You can contact the court clerk to find out the procedure, but he has to do the filing.

How would I go about requesting the custody change? And on average how long does the change of custody through the court take?


Read when I posted again - your father has to file. No telling how backed up the Court calendar is.

So I'm stuck in my abusive house for the next 10months. My dad has tried and the court throw the case out. After court my mother came home and hit me and her new husband restrained me, and no one is willing to help thanks anyway. I guess I'm just going to have to find my own way out.

Did you call Family Services? Did you talk to a counselor at school?

We don't know what grounds your father put in the petition to change custody or why the court denied it. But if you are in an abusive environment something should be able to be done.