Add a Date Legal Oregon Visitation Forms For Free

Oregon law does not allow children the right to decide child custody or parenting time questions. This rule exists to protect children, in fact. If they were able to choose between their parents, then they would come under the most intense pressure from each of their parents to make the choice that parent wants.

If your child refuses to spend time with the other parent due to a reason concerning their safety and any family violence concerns, you should seek legal advice immediately. Although a child has a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents, it should not come at the compromise of their safety.

The law does not give a child the legal right to make decisions on where the child wishes to live. A minor lacks legal capacity to make such decisions. Only the parents or the judge make custody decisions based on what parenting arrangement would serve the child's best interest.

Discuss with your child and accept their reasons for wanting to live with their other parent instead, refrain from being defensive or passing blame. Do not interfere with your child's decision. This is not about what is in your best interest, it is about what is in your child's best interest.

To request a change in your appearance date, please make your request in writing. If you are represented by an attorney, your attorney must request the change. Your request may or may not, be granted.

No Magical Age Unfortunately, children of any age do not have a legal say. However, that doesn't mean that their opinions count for nothing. The courts will take what the children have to say into consideration when making a ruling. The older the children are, the more weight their opinions are likely to have.

Oregon law list factors to determine if a parent is unfit, such as abusive, cruel or sexual conduct toward any child; addiction or habitual use of narcotics, alcohol or controlled substances; physical neglect of the child; or mental health condition that renders parent incapable of proper care to the child.

In both Washington and Oregon, a child can only choose which parent they'd like to live with when they turn 18 or are otherwise emancipated. Minor children are not considered capable of making such decisions for themselves and are not permitted to “choose” living with one parent over another.

Section 163.535 - Abandonment of a child (1) A person commits the crime of abandonment of a child if, being a parent, lawful guardian or other person lawfully charged with the care or custody of a child under 15 years of age, the person deserts the child in any place with intent to abandon it.