Teenagers often have strong preferences about custody arrangements. They might prefer to live with one parent to stay in the same school district. In some cases, they may resent the obligation to spend time with one of their parents due to a decline in their relationship with that parent.
In those situations, the young adult who is technically subject to a Florida custody order might insist that they are old enough to choose. They may begin refusing to go to one parent’s home or leave with them when they come for visitation.
Is there a certain age at which a teenager can choose not to participate in the time-sharing arrangement outlined in a Florida court order?
Teens do not control custody terms
There is no age at which teenagers can choose where they live or refuse to comply with a time-sharing schedule. While they are still minors and therefore subject to the control of their parents, they have an obligation to abide by the current time-sharing schedule, and parents should seek to uphold the schedule as established.
Parents can make concessions and modify the schedule to account for challenging family dynamics, such as a teen’s protests. However, a young adult does not actually control the term set and cannot outright refuse to see one of their parents.
In cases where the current time-sharing arrangement puts a teenager at risk of abuse or neglect, the parent worried about their young adult’s safety can document the issue and ask the courts for a modification. In scenarios where disputes with a parent are what cause time-sharing challenges, parents generally need to encourage their teens to follow the order as established.
Learning more about Florida’s child custody rules can help parents navigate common challenges. Teenage resistance is common, but parents should generally work together to uphold their custody orders.
