Child Custody

There is no specific age at which a child can choose which parent to live with in Colorado. The court considers the child's wishes if the child is "sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences." **What courts consider:** - The child's age and maturity level - Whether the preference seems genuinely the child's own - The reasons behind the preference - Whether the child has been influenced by a parent - The child's understanding of the implications **Common misconceptions:** - There is no "magic age" like 12 or 14 - A child's preference is one factor, not the deciding factor - Courts won't force children to testify in most cases - The best interests of the child remain the primary standard As children get older, particularly teenagers, courts generally give more weight to their preferences—but the court always retains authority to decide based on the child's best interests, even if that differs from what the child wants.