Does my child’s opinion matter in deciding custody?

Answer:

Most often, it’s best not to involve the minor children in a custody action between you and the other parent. The children need to feel secure and loved by both parents in most cases, and should never be put in a position where they are asked to choose one parent over the other. Coming to court and dealing with custody is stressful for children and should be avoided whenever possible. There are some circumstances, however, when a child needs to have his or her opinion heard, or when he or she is mature enough to make a decision about where he or she wants to live and why. In these limited situations, the court will give considerable weight to the child’s opinion. Ultimately, the judge will decide what is in the best interests of the child, and it may or may not be what the child wants.