Home > Research Legal Advice > Child Custody > NY child custody laws, does child have the right to choose custodial parent
Asked over 4 years ago - New York, NY
FlagI am a non custodial parent in New York. my son is 8 and already wants to live with me. What are the laws that allow a child to change custody in New York
The standard for determining who has the primary physical residence is the best interests of the child. At the age of 8, your son's wishes alone would not determine where he lives. If you bring a petition seeking a change in primary physical residence, a law guardian is likely to be appointed to review the situation. Until the age of 13 or so, the children's input does not carry that much weight with the courts. If the law guardian is appointed, the court is highly likely to follow hi or her recommendation.
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