Child's role in determining custody

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Young children often have little role in determining what the ultimate custody is going to be. And that's because children sometimes will pick a preferred parent based on things like which parent lets them stay up later, which one gives them ice cream, etc., So we don't look to those factors. We know in general the best parents parent. They set limits. They set limits that are clear, firm, and restrictive. As children get older, however, we do begin to accept the reasoning and the input of a child. There's nothing written in the law about the age at which any child gets to make a custody determination, but generally about the age of 14, in some a little bit younger, in some a little bit older, we begin to take into consideration the preferences and the reason for the preferences of the child.

Video Categories: ALL PARENTS, Divorce, Divorce Laws and Rights

Alan Yellin, PhD Psychologist and Family Therapist, shares advice for parents getting a divorce on the impact your children have in determining custody rulings

Transcript

Expert Bio

Alan Yellin, PhD

Psychologist

Dr. Alan Yellin is a licensed psychologist as well as licensed marriage and family therapist. He has been in practice for over 30 years working with children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Yellin did his post-doctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. In his practice, he sees children with learning problems, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, fears and social skills issues. Additionally, he has a sub-specialty in working with children from divorced families as well as helping parents deal more effectively with their divorce. Dr. Yellin’s practice also includes working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive issues as well as issues around life passages. Dr. Yellin believes that therapy works best when the client and therapist have a collaborative relationship as they explore thoughts and feelings and work towards solutions, and uses a combination of scientific data along with humor to help people achieve change. He is in a long-term happy marriage and has two grown children.

Parenting expert on: Emotional Support for Children, Diseases and Disorders, Anxiety and Depression, Anxiety and Depression

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