What age does a child have the right to choose which parent they live with in PA?

In most jurisdictions, legally, the child has to be at least 18 years old to choose who they want to live with.

However, in the case of disputed custody, a child almost always has a voice in the proceedings to decide where he or she should live. While a court is not bound to accommodate the child's wishes, the older the child, the more weight his or her opinion carries.

A teenager is normally able to express and discuss preferences and reasons why one parent is a better choice than another. Unless there are compelling reasons to go against the wishes of a teenager, the court will frequently accept those wishes and grant a custody or residence order accordingly. This is completely in line with the court's obligation to make a decision that is in the best interests of the child.

It is important to remember that every court and every case is different.