If you need assistance with your child custody matter, we can help you explore your legal options. Maryland Child Custody Attorney, LaSheena Williams, discusses the impact of your child’s age on your custody case in Maryland.
Thank you for joining me today my name is LaSheena Williams and I am a Maryland family law attorney.
My firm helps our clients take control of out of control domestic situations. Today we will be discussing custody battles involving teenage children.
♦️ The Difference Between Teenagers and Children Under 12
Custody cases can happen at any point in your minor children’s life. The issue is going to be how their age impacts the court’s opinion and determinations.
If your child is under 12 years old, while they may have an opinion, the court is less likely to listen to their opinion as they are considered children. What that means is, even if your child wants to spend more time with you and they or they don’t want to spend any time with you the court is less likely to take that into consideration when making their ultimate determination.
♦️ Teenagers Between 13 and 15 Years Old
If your child is between 13 and 15 years old most magistrates and Circuit Court judges will want to know what your child’s opinions are regarding who they will stay with for custody. While they may not give that child exactly what they request they will take their opinion under consideration when making a determination for custody.
♦️ Teenagers Between 16 and 18 Years Old
If your child is between 16 and 18 years old most magistrates and Circuit Court judges will heavily consider their opinion when making a custody determination and what that means is that if your 17 year old child does not want to spend as much time with you as you would prefer or they want to spend less time with your co-parent the court will heavily consider their opinion among the other factors they consider when making a custody determination.
♦️ What to do when your older teenager doesn’t want to visit you
If you have an older teenager and they don’t necessarily want to comply with the terms of your custody order or custody agreement you have to strongly consider the fact that your child under the eyes of the law regarding custody is essentially considered an adult. So if they don’t want to spend time with you they typically will not have to. In other circumstances, your co-parent may be at fault if they do not make your child available.
If your child does not want to spend time with you then it’s up to you to make yourself available to spend time with them but you have to understand that they might not necessarily take you up on the offer that you’re providing.
If you have any questions about child custody battles involving older teenage children or any other domestic related issues please feel free to subscribe to my Youtube channel for future updates. Please also feel free to give us a call if you have any questions at all at (301) 778-9950 to speak with an attorney today.
Check Out Our Related Child Custody Blog Posts:
◾ Best Interest of the Child: Understanding Child Custody in Maryland | https://bit.ly/37cjJXr
◾ At Ease: Maryland child custody rights for active duty military parents | https://bit.ly/349d8vf
◾ Making it Work: Co-parenting After Divorce in Maryland | https://bit.ly/37c1z8n
◾ A Game of Keep Away: Maryland Refusal of Child Custody and Access | https://bit.ly/2FyaOUO
◾ Weathering the Storm: Interference with Custody and Covid-19 in Maryland | https://bit.ly/2T1qxz6
Contact the Law Office of LaSheena Williams today to learn more about how we can help support you with your Maryland child custody matter.
