[solidrock]

I'm 12 years old and my parents are divorced. I live with three brothers and my mom. I really want to live with my dad. If I tell my mom it's going to break her heart. I love both of them greatly, but if I lived with my dad I wouldn't have to put up with my brothers. I need help, please.

[N0help4u]

First you need to find if they have a custody order saying you have to live with your mother.

[smoothy]

At 12 you really don't get to make that choice if there is a custody order... unless both of your parents agree with it. And even then its not that simple because of child support and other legal obligations. Which means lawyers.. and that means lots of money. Going to court and time.

[solidrock]

First you need to find if they have a custody order saying you have to live with your mother.

She does

[smoothy]

she does

That means Dad has to send mom a big check every month to help raise you... and only the court changing the custody order will change that. If he has to raise you his-self. Because he would still be obligated to send that check to mom otherwise...

[joypulv]

Have you ever talked about this with your dad? I assume he works all day - would he give you a key and let you be home alone? Would you shop for groceries, cook, clean, and do laundry, and how would you get anywhere to shop? Could you get anywhere you want to go, besides school, without someone to drive you? Are you aware that a parent has a legal obligation for anything you do, whether it's set fire to the house or get in trouble around town, or injure yourself while home alone?
These are just a few of the questions that 99% of 12 year olds don't think of.

[Fr_Chuck]

Your mom would have to agree, and dad would have to go to court, file and get both custody agreement and support agreement changed.

Also the court has to believe it is in your best interest, what you want really does not matter to court