How old do you have to be to see judge in Wisconsin to go live with grandparent out of state?

Answer 1

IMPROVED ANSWER: Most states provide legal rights for biological grandparents, and every state will consider "the best interest of the child" when faced with an issue involving custody and/or visitation. Grandparents are often the preferred custodian for children who need to be removed from the biological parental home and/or a legally appointed guardian's home.

Regardless of your age, if you are in a situation at home that is not good for you, such as a lack of supervision, lack of adequate food and medical care, physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, then you will be protected by state authorities. However, the people in charge cannot protect you unless they are aware of your situation.

This is my recommendation for you:

1) If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Tell the operator the truth about your situation. Your health and welfare is more important than anything.

2) If you are not in immediate danger, but you are living in an abusive / neglectful environment, consider the following choices:

a) Talk to a counselor at school. Tell him or her the truth about your situation. The counselor is required by law to report any instances of abuse or neglect to the appropriate agency (like, DFS).

b) Call the child protection hot-line in your state. You'll find the number to call here: http://reportchildabusenow.com Make sure to tell the truth to the operator that answers the call. You may be frightened of how your parents will react, but your health and welfare is more important than anything.

c) Call an attorney. It's okay that you are a kid. Take a look at this website (see link).

One reason kids often endure abuse rather than report it is that they are afraid of being placed in a Foster Home. When you have grandparents who are loving and responsible AND willing to provide a home for you, you have a very good chance of being placed in their home rather than Foster Care. You might have to spend a short amount of time with a Foster family while the adults take care of all of the paperwork and legal issues, but it is BETTER than continuing to live in an abusive / neglectful environment. REMEMBER: Your health and welfare is more important than anything. If your parents are not doing their job to keep you safe, healthy, and free from harm, DO NOT be afraid to make a phone call to 911, a hot-line, or an attorney!

3) Make sure your grandparents know the truth about your situation. If they are loving, responsible adults, they will help you. Regardless of what choice you make (above), your grandparents need to know what is happening so that they can volunteer to take custody of you when/if it is needed.

4) If you are not in an abusive / neglectful home environment (as defined by law), but you simply can't stand living with your parent(s) and want to move in with your grandparents, your choices are much different:

a) Sit down and talk to your parents. Tell them what you would like to do. Be as mature and responsible as possible. Do not argue with them; just communicate your thoughts. Sometimes all it takes is honest, open communication. Then again, some parents just simply won't "hear" you, no matter how effectively you communicate your thoughts to them. You might recommend to your parents that all of you go to "family counseling". There are free services in every state for this.

b) Talk to your grandparents. Tell them what you want to do, and why. Ask for their advice -- and follow that advice. If you want to live with them, you have to show that you respect their opinion and their advice.

c) Evaluate the reasons that you want to move to a new state to live with your grandparents. Is it because your parents are being unreasonable? Is it because you don't like your school or the kids at school? Are you looking for more freedom, or are you looking for more guidance? So long as you are not in an abusive / neglectful situation, your reason needs to be pretty good. A court is not going to award your Grandparents custody of you unless

i) your parents consent; OR

ii) your parents are abusive and/or neglectful.

d) If your parents consent to your moving in with your grandparents, you do not need the court's permission.

It is hard to be a kid. The fact that you are seeking an answer to help you to do something about a situation that you don't like -- regardless of the reason -- shows that you are smart. Make sure that you continue to make smart decisions for yourself!

ORIGINAL ANSWER: If this was to another parent it would be different but your grandparents have no right to you so this is up to your parents to decide until you are 18. Even if you would go to court the judge have no obligation to do what you wish, just to listen to you. I doubt he would take the parental rights from your parents to give to your grandparents for no serious reason. If your grandparents want custody of you they can go to court for it but I think they know it's futile.