Q: can custody be changed before a court hearing if all parties agree?
16 year old wants to live with father. Mother has physical custody. Both parties have joint legal custody. All parties agree to let him live with his father. Do they have to wait for a court custody hearing or can the son leave now?
A: Unless there is some concern about whether the child's safety or well-being would be affected adversely by implementing an agreement for custody prior to the hearing date, it is generally acceptable. Sometimes, in fact, it is a wise idea to try on the new living arrangement for size to see how things work for the parties and the child so that if things do not work out the issue can be addressed on the Court date.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
