Q: I’m 16 almost 17, how much of a say do I have to get visitation rights changed?
A:
Custody cases across the board are usually extremely case-specific, meaning that no one answer is likely to be accurate in all apparently similar scenarios. The answer also often varies by jurisdiction and even by which judge within a particular jurisdiction hears your case. However, in my experience, the closer a child gets to 18 years old, the more influence his or her desires have on the ruling of the court. Hypothetically, assuming no other adverse circumstances which would override the child's wishes, a 16 or 17 year old child ought to have a great deal of influence on visitation.
You should contact a family law attorney in your area to discuss this issue further and obtain accurate legal advice for your particular situation.
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