At what age can a child choose which parent to live with?

Full question:

What age is it that a minor child can choose which parent they want to live with?

• Category: Minors
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Wyoming

Answer:

In Wyoming, custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child, and there is no specific age at which a child can decide which parent to live with. According to Wyoming statute (W.S. 20-2-201), the court considers multiple factors when determining what is in the child's best interests, including:

• The quality of the child's relationship with each parent;
• Each parent's ability to provide adequate care;
• The competency and fitness of each parent;
• Each parent's willingness to accept parenting responsibilities;
• The ability to maintain and strengthen the parent-child relationship;
• How parents and children interact and communicate;
• The geographic distance between parents;
• The physical and mental ability of each parent to care for the child;
• Any evidence of spousal or child abuse.

The court does not prefer one parent over another based solely on gender and may order custody arrangements that include joint, shared, or sole custody. The court also has the discretion to require parents to attend parenting classes if necessary.