Can a child choose whom they live with?

Answer 1

Once a person is adopted, all legal rights between the biological parents and their child are severed. An adopted child has no legal right to choose to live with their biological parents. The adoptive parents could informally agree to allow the biological parents to have custody of the child but there can be all kinds of legal ramifications that flow from that, especially if the biological parents do not want to give the child back and the adoptive parents want physical custody back.

Answer 2

children should definitely have the right to know of where they came from! now not at any younger age but once 18 they should have the right. the reason for an older age is because they'll be emotionally prepared for the acceptance or rejection they may fall into. legal parents should have a way of contact , through an agency or something for things for updated medical records and such.

Answer 3

yes they definitely should because it is what the child wants not anyone else

~ BRIANNA

Well too add on to that, i think that they should. It wouldn't be right ffor a child to live with a person who is not related to them. Also they should have the right to contact their birth parents but around the age of 15. Why.? Because they would be prepared to face them with the proper emotions. YOung children probably wouldn't understand what is happening. They wouldn't believe their "parents". You see, their "parents" could be lying to them saying that they are their real parents. Its all in a matter of trust of when and how the parent tells the child(ren) that they are adopted. So to conclude with my reasoning, I really think that children should be able to know who their real parents are.

Answer 4

Generally no. You can't just decide who you want to live with.

You may, depending on your state, be able to file a legal action to do so and in that case it would be the court's decision based on the evidence.

Answer 5

Not as long as he is a minor. When 18 and emancipated he can do what he wants. When adopted you legally become a member of the new family and is no longer a member of the biological one. They are not allowed to search for you until you are 18 and you have to follow your new family's rules and if they say no to contact your biological family you have to follow that.

Answer 6

No, generally not until they reach the age of majority in the state where they reside (18 is the norm). However, the child is always free to make their wishes known to the judge, either in court when custody is being decided, by requesting a meeting with the judge, writing a letter to the judge expressing their wishes, or engaging an attorney or guardian ad litem to speak for them. The judge will take into consideration the wishes of the child, and generally, the older the child, the more weight is given to those wishes.

Ultimately, however, the judge will rule depending on what he or she feels would be in the best interests of the child.

Answer 7

No, a child cannot make that decision. However that person or persons may petition the court for legal guardianship of the child and if they present a compelling argument why it would be in the child's best interests to live with them, the court may allow a modification of the existing custody order.

Answer 8

To tell the truth..i hope! i wish i knew my parents to choose to live with them. Any more questions? email me at adopted.child.pjw@gmail.com