[nug3]

I'm 17 and was woundering if I am able to choose what parent I would like to live with, I live in Washington state.

[J_9]

Honey, you don't get to "choose." The court will take your considerations under advisement, but in the end they choose what is best for your health and welfare.

[justcurious55]

Legally, no. a judge may take your preference into consideration. Or, if your parents both agree, they may let you choose. But legally you don't get to choose until you're 18 and an adult.

[girlygirl1819]

Hmm I am not in any a legal advisor or anything but when I was 12 years old in the state of Texas I was able to choose who I wanted to live with.

[ScottGem]

No US state allows a minor (under the age of 18) to choose which parent they live with. That decision is made by a Family Court judge. Some states do have guidelines that advise a judge of how much weight to put on the child's preference, but the decision is still up to the judge.

In addition a child cannot bring such a petition to the court. Only the non custodial parent (or sometimes the custodial parent) can file for a change in custody.

[Fr_Chuck]

Scott is correct, in the US, most courts will allow children over 12 ( sometimes 14) to testify in court and say what they would like, but the court is under no obligation to allow it. Both parties can still present evidence as to where the child should live, the courts review all the evidence

[adthern]

Scott and FR are correct, however, I would suggest that if you are 17 and especially if you are close to 18, likely the court will give your choice serious weight.

That said, the reason they are more accurate is that if you chose to live with (example) an abusive parent, the court would have to say no, you could move when you are 18, but they would be violating their oath to do something against the child's (even at 17) best interests. Though, I wouldn't get to stressed out about it, you will likely get your choice.

[J_9]

Since this thread is almost a YEAR old, and the OP has never returned, it has been officially closed.

Please check your dates prior to responding to threads.