There are a number of factors that are considered when making child custody decisions, including the child’s preference for whom he or she wants to live. Generally, a young child should not be given the choice of where they want to live. Depending on a number of relevant factors, including the child’s maturity level, a child’s preference becomes more important by about age 12 to 13. By the time the child reaches 15 or 16, the court may end up granting custody based on the child’s wishes, within reason.
