does a 17 year old child of divorced parents in MD have the right to choose which parent she will live with?
484743
well I live in iowa and I don't know if it's the same in maryland but here at the age of 14 you have a choice, so I would definitely look into it. \n\n\nRead this and research more... I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for:\nIn Maryland, as with all other states, the court will always be looking out for the best interests of the children. What you want or your spouse wants is not really relevant until the court says it is. Many parents go to custody hearings not realizing that they must portray themselves as the best custodial parent rather pleading to the court that they simply deserve the children. The court would much prefer the parents to decide who should have custody, but if they can’t, the court will do it for them.
426855
That means that the child is basically "divorcing" their parents.  They will be deemed as adults through the law.  Example: A 16 year old who becomes emancipated is legally considered a adult.  That child is able to make there own decisions and will no longer re lie on the parents for financial support, "Emancipation ends the parents' rights to control his or her minor child or to participate in any decision-making about the child. If a child is emancipated, the parents no longer have the right to determine where the child lives or goes to school, or how the child's money is spent. The parent also has no right to the Minor's wages or earnings." (http://www.clcm.org/minors_rights.htm).\nGood Luck
858737
Only if parent agrees or parent is found unfit. But there is no "I just don't want to live with my parents anymore" law.
87374
In most cases involving minor's counsel, this is an attorney appointed by the Court to represent the child's interests and paid for by the parents.  Unless there is a hotly contested custody hearing, the court usually won't appoint one.  Of course, the exact laws and policies on will vary vary by state.\n\nIf your son wants to come live with you, talk it over with your ex.  You might be able to work something out.  If your ex won't agree, you will need to file a motion for a change of custody and prove to the court that it is in the child's best interest to live with you now.
137146
It mostly depends on what the court said (or you set up) at the time of the divorce and the awarding of custody.  It is possible you have no rights at all, right now.  But you can always go to court to modify the existing arrangement, and you should do so to guarantee you have visitation rights if you have no formal, legal agreement.\n\nThe California Supreme Court issued a ruling just recently which made it easier for a court to allow a custoiial parent to move out of state with the child.
685667
Sounds to me like this is a case of divorced parents? Assuming it is and the mother has legal custody and depending of course on what state they live in, its unlikely the father could interfere with the legal process. Personally, I would not get involved in family matters where custody would be a factor. As for the rent, if the boy is requesting emancipation then he's asking the courts to recognize him as an adult and empower him with legal custody of himself. If he wants to be an adult then he needs to have adult obligations so I say the rent is fair.
350303
No! \nThe court will decide ultimately where a child is placed taking into account the child's safety and well being, it may well be stated that the child would and be better placed with the person that he knows ie, the Mothers friend after an aproval inspection and social investigation\nmay be accepted, but the court wil have the final say.\nHope this helps, keep that child safe.\nGood luck!
790745
Forgetting the sentiments of parents worldwide, the New York State Domestic Relations law says until emancipated, or age 21, except if the child is still enrolled in college, in which case a family or Supreme court judge may order continuation to age 22. \n\nEmancipation under the law is not likely when a child is living at home, except in certain defined circumstances.\n\nAlso, you should be aware that a settlement agreement in a divorce may alter the default provisions of the Domestic Relations Law.
198507
Not without knowing what state you're talking about.\n\nIn general, if both parents have legal custody, both have to agree or go to court or arbitration. Otherwise, the parent with legal custody determines it.
671399
I'm pretty sure that your son is old enough to choose who he wants to live with.  There is a certain age they turn and are able to choose. Check into it.
179964
Okay, this is a tough one.  Legally, you can petition the courts for a change in custody from your ex-wife to yourself.  The reason would be, of course, that your ex-wife is doing a lousy job parenting by not actually parenting your daughter.  This puts your daughter in your custody in your house in New York.\n\nAnd here's the problematic part because a 17 year-old generally does not go anywhere she doesn't want to go.  So if you take her out of that situation and bring her to New York, she'll just run away and turn up (if you're lucky) back in Florida.  Moreover, when she turns 18, she can go any place she likes and no Court can tell her differently.\n\nSo there's actually very little that you can do.  One thing, of course, is you probably don't have to pay your wife child support anymore.  If you are paying, you should petition immediately to stop.  Otherwise, you may have very little room to maneuver.
1180828
In the state of Georgia as of 2006, a child of 17 years of can not\nmove out of parents home without permission. Unless another\nguardian is appointed or you are amansiapted. \nContact your local juvinile office if in doubt.\nThe only reason the law enforcement does not enforce this law\nis because it would cost millions of dollars to enforce and most\npolice officers are not up to date on juvy laws.\n\nAnother few months will not hurt if your truly in love and you can\nfinish school to make a brighter future for the two of you. Then just maybe Mom will be more for the relationship.\n\nGood Luck!!!!\n\nAlready been there!!!!!!!!!
854623
The birth mother has a right to reasonable visitation. Sometimes the terms of the legal guardianship indicate that the parent may have reasonable visitation "as determined by the guardian."  If visitation cannot be agreed to informally, the birth mother or guardian can ask the court to make a visitation order. The court will be guided by what is in the best interest of the children.
260580
Unless your child is still in high school, or heading to college - child support is supposed to cease when they are 18.\n\nIf they ARE still in school full time & living at home, then it continues as usual until they are 24 (or no longer living at home, or no longer in school if that happens first)\n\n(I live in PA, thats how it works here...  & I know it's the same in MD too - not sure if it differs elsewhere)
700281
I live in Alabama, and depending on who you talk to, it is either 13 or 14.  If I am not mistaken, my attorney told me a few years ago, that my daughter would be able to choose when she turned 14.
783993
Obviously things weren't as perfect as you thought they were.  Your parent's divorce is between THEM.  Not you and them.  They have things they have to straighten out and you have nothing to do with the divorce itself.  When they get to the child custody/support phase then you will be able to have your say.  You don't get to make the choices concerning  your parent's marriage though.
40503
depends on the situation. I know kids who have emancipated themselves from their parents at the age of 17. As long as you have someone to stay with cps ought to be able to get off of your back. FYI: I'm a Texan too, proud and true!