In the case of unmarried parents living apart, who has say so over the child?
413202
You need to get to the courthouse and establish custody!  You need to get full custody, and get court ordered child support.  GET IN THERE ASAP!  Put it on paper!
885630
Need more information.  Depending on who you are or what your relationship is to the person.  If your not a parent, it also has a lot to do with the opinion of the child.  Being that they are 15, they are older and can give the judge his or her opinion as to which person or parent they want to live with.
177854
Parents without Partners
545146
Are you not wanting the children?  My exhusband spends no time with his children and well as upset as I was about before I am no longer upset.  Full custody... physical custody or sole custody?  I would go ahead and sue for sole custody removing him of rights to the child so it is no longer sparatic and emotionally draining or damaging to the child's self esteem and well being.
330502
It doesnt matter whether or not your married, parent is the keyword here, keep in mind that in some states you do not have legal custody of your child unless it is awarded to you in a court of law and this is actually quite simple to file for on a pro se basis.
1180183
Usually a parent who has been absent ( away from the child for jail, prison whatever) that wants to legally establish ( get ) rights for visitation\n\nAlso if you are unmarried it is the father trying to establish his rights.He would be required to do DNA test to show paternity.\nHe then would be required to pay support and could  get visitation, ( custody) etc.\n\nAnd anything filed in court is a petition... You are asking for something is what it meens\n\nIf he has been removed from the child ( not around at all and no support etc) and there is another "father" like you ar e now married and lets say your kid is 12 and the birth father has never been around etc. You may have a case to prevent him from getting visitation.
199872
I personally think it depends on how old the child is.  I did live with my boyfriend when my child was 2-3.  We eventually broke up and no harm was done b/c they didn't remember the situation much.  I am now dating someone new 8 years later.  We are even talking of marriage but I refuse to live with him until we are married.  If something does happen and we break up it will definitely send the wrong message to my child.
374160
If your parents are going through a divorce the court will decide where any minor children will reside.  Middle school aged children and older are usually at least talked to by the judge or court appointed councellor to find out what they think about the family situation.  Unless you become emancipated you'll have to live with what the court decides.
319899
I don't believe the child has the say so on who he wants to live with.  At the age of 14, the judge will take his opinion into consideration but will ultimately rule on what is in the childs best interest after hearing testimony of all who are involved with your case.
636926
Yes , they do. They dont know or dont understand that it takes two to make a child and also two to bring him/her up. Single parents are not  role models for their children. Children need to see a mother and a father in their house.Otherwise, they will grow being very unhappy children.
965971
Here in Delaware, it would be with the Family Court (State) where the person who has custody resides. I believe there must be a custody order (or at least a temporary custody order) in place for this motion to be considered.
427218
I'm not sure, but my friend, who is 17, got to pick who she lived with when she was 13 I think; ultimately, she chose her mother's house because it was closer and she preferred her mother, but if the child has no immediate family, then I don't see any reason why he/she shouldn't be able to live with another relative.
587427
who's got the kids then, if no one has custody??
1045916
Hi, First of all, I live in California and our laws, codes, rules and regulations are different here than there. \n\nBut if you are thinking of starting out on  your own you would have to have a separate case with you and your baby. We have already established that, however, if you are going to remain in the same household with you mother you  must become separate. What that means is that you have to keep your food separate (maybe have a separate refrigerator), and you pay for a portion of the electricity and other bills that you are accuming. \n\nSo, the first thing to do would be to have your mother take your baby off of her case and you start a new one with you and your own baby. Beware though, sometimes this creates animosity in the household and you and your mother should talk about this before you decide to go ahead and do it. \n \nIf you move out the household and get your own house:\n1. you would have to take your baby with you\n2. you have to report that you moved out of the household so that you \ncan have your baby removed from your mother's case and added on to \nthe one you will have. \n\nI hope this helps.
1141418
I am posting a quote from a website and will add link...\n\n"A child over the age of 14 can choose which parent to live with, and the Judge will consent unless specific findings are made that the parent chosen is unfit. The Court must also consider the wishes of a child between the ages of 11 and 14 as to which parent they wish to live with. However, this is not binding on the Judge, and other factors could override the child's wishes."
584976
Not sure why the other kids live with dad, but you got to answer what you want first, then it's maybe what he wants, as long as it agree's with your wish's, it's your body, your life.  I assume separated means not divorced, that could make things kind of messy come court time yes?
525482
In no state does an underage child have the right to decide which parent he wants to live with.  Most states by law or by practice have a rule of thumb as to when a child will be listened to.  Some states will allow the judge to listen to a child as young as 6 or so, other states don't have the child address the judge until 15 or 16.\nThe judge may then give the child's preference such weight as the judge feels it deserves, based on the judge's evaluation of the maturity of the child, the reasoning and reasons given by the child, and all the other facts in the case.\nRegardless of the wishes of the child or the child's age, in every state the ultimate decision is made by the judge.