12 years old in California

[mommadawn]

What is the name of your state?CALIFORNIA

I have a daughter that has turned 12 today. She has been informed that by school mates that by law, she can choose when and where she wants to spend her time regarding visitation with her father or mother. We currently are legally seperated, not divorced. We have a visitation schedule set up. I am feeling that it is important for her to continue to visit with her father and perhaps let her have a little say so in the matter (ie, special outings with friends she would rather attend ...), but not let her have complete control. I am curious how the law specifically works.

 

[stealth2]

LOL Does turning 12 give her the right to decide when she'll go to school? Of course not. Turning 12 gives her no more right to choose whether to spend time with either of her parents oe not. The both of you may want to stop taking legal advice from 12 yo's.

 

[CdwJava]

What is the name of your state?CALIFORNIA

I have a daughter that has turned 12 today. She has been informed that by school mates that by law, she can choose when and where she wants to spend her time regarding visitation with her father or mother. We currently are legally seperated, not divorced. We have a visitation schedule set up. I am feeling that it is important for her to continue to visit with her father and perhaps let her have a little say so in the matter (ie, special outings with friends she would rather attend ...), but not let her have complete control. I am curious how the law specifically works.

Unless the court documents say that she has that choice (and I cannot imagine it would), then she has NO choice in the matter.

The custody orders remain as they always were until mom and dad modify them.

Middle school students are not especially aware of the law ... and they pass around the same stories we heard when we were kids ... like the one about an "undercover cop" having to admit he was a police officer if he was asked.

- Carl

 

[cbg]

It used to be, and may still be for all I know, that in CA once a child reached the age of 12, the judge would take the child's wishes into consideration when making custody decisions. Somehow or other this got turned around to mean, in the heads of many 12 year olds, that this meant they got to choose. Not true, just another 12 year old misconception.