New Jersey Custody - Child's Preference

[nicole0717]

This is kind of a long story but I will try to make it short...Last year my current husband, my daughter, our son and I relocated to florida because of work. My ex didn't like it but he agreed and even helped me pack up some things. A few weeks after being in florida I got attorney papers saying that I never had permissio to leave the state. Anyway he lied through his teeth and we went to mediation and our daughter had to fly to new jersey to see him once a month (she was 6 at the time). 7 months passed and then my current husband and I get contacted by the local police and they want to question us. They were accusing me and my husband of disgusting behavior with my daughter. I had to give temporary custody of my daughter to my ex until the investigation was over. It took about 3 months and the state said that there was not enough evidence to proceed with a court case. I then had to go b ack to mediation where I gave sole custody to my ex because I basically had no more fight left in me at that time. It has been about 6 months and I have to have supervised visitation along with my ex husband (go figure). I have to wait one year until I can go back and try to change custody and visitation. When will my daughter be able to choose where she wants to live because I know that it is with me.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Under New Jersey law, the court will determine custody until she's 18. When making its custody decision, the court will consider the child's preference as soon as the child is of sufficient age to make an intelligent and informed decision.