California readers may be interested to learn about proposed changes to a law that exists in another state. The changes being discussed could affect child custody in that state. The proposal comes after courts began to notice that older children involved in such situations usually wish to have their opinions heard.
In child custody cases in California and across the nation, parents, guardians and courts often try to do what they believe is in the best interest of the children involved. This effort often includes seeking the opinion of older children, such as teenagers, about their custody placement. However, the opinion offered by the child is often not the primary factor in the custody decision by the court.
This new legislation allows children over the age of 14 in that state to give input in child custody cases. Though the opinion of the child will have weight on a case, it will not be the deciding factor, according to an amendment made to the legislation. The senator who sponsored the bill stated that she believes today’s teenagers are more mature than in previous generations, so she wanted to give them a voice.
Though each case that leads to a proposed child custody law change is a unique one, it is common for parents and guardians to battle over child visitation. When this occurs, it can be beneficial, some believe, for those involved to have as much information as possible. This information can include the opinion of the teenagers involved in the matter. When a person finds that they are in such a situation, he or she may do well to understand the laws of California in an effort to make the best decision for children in a child custody case.
Source: deseretnews.com, “Senate passes bill to allow children at 14 to state custody preferences in divorce,” Marjorie Cortez, Feb. 7, 2013