What age can a child choose where to live

[simon4amieee]

Hi, my son who is 15 this year wants to live with me. I've had him every weekend since birth. He is unhappy at home and failing in school and is very intelligent and openly says he is unhappy at home and wants to come to me. Ive always said he is best with mum, but not at this stage he is really failing. I I was never added to the birth certificate nor ever given perental responsibility despite paying the csa a chuck and having him every weekend (Fri-Sun). Can my son start the ball rolling. His mother tried to convince everyone he has mental issues, but the local Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Services interviewed him and said he was fine, a well grounded child who doesnt have any issues other than is unhappy with himself. I want to help as best I can, but he will not stop his bad behaviour until he gets to live with me. Can he decide now? If so how would he or I proceed?

[leclerc]

Re: What age can a child choose where to live

He can and you can by applying to the courts but I think you as the father needs to be very careful. Some kids can play one parent off against the other so be very very careful.
Why is he failing at school? Just because he does not agree with the rules of the house does not mean that his mother is a bad mother and does not legitimise someone intentionally failing at school. There is a phrase which says that if the child behaves badly at home then it is the fault of the parents and if he fails at school it is the fault of the teachers.
If you do not have parental responsibility then that could be an issue.
He might be able to seek advice which is why I am giving you a link to the National Youth Advocacy Service which has a helpline which he can call.
Please tread carefully yourself

https://www.nyas.net/legal-services