Can a Seventeen-Year-Old Choose Where to Live

My mom took me to California with her when I was eight years old and I am now seventeen. It was court ordered that I move to California with her instead of staying in South Dakota with my dad. In the past couple of years I have been disliking the area, disliking being away from my dad and all of my other family and best friends. I have been thinking about it from the beginning of this school year that I want to move back with my dad and I jut told him the other day. I want to go back because I am tired of this endless city and I want to be where I know that I belong, in South Dakota. Knowing that my mother will not willingly let me move back with my dad, is it worth for my dad and I to appeal to the court to get something figured out so I can move back with him? Thanks!

You're 17. The very second you turn 18, you can leave Mom and never return if that's your choice.

The court isn't going to do anything.

So, without my moms consent, I'm stuck here?

Yup.

Seriously though - you can't stick it out another how many months? Really?

I've got over a year to go.

And why do you have over a year to go?

School?

Do you realize that there is no chance of circumstances here?

Don't turn 18 till next march

Y'know, I gave up using rolly eyes for Lent several years ago. But jeez kiddo.... "over a year" ? Really?

Let's get this straightened out once and for all.

In order to change custody, there must be a change of circumstance AND that CoC must be detrimental to the child. The parent files, and if the other parent objects you can kiss it goodbye - because a contested custody battle can take years. You'll be 18 before it even gets into the important stuff.

This is a lesson for you:

Sometimes we have to do something we don't want to do.
Sometimes we want something instantly and any other option is immediately dismissed.

Dad's got nothing. And you'll have to grow up a bit and tolerate the situation.

You can talk to your parents about their agreeing to let you move to South Dakota. You can talk to your father about whether he would petition for modification of custody if your mother says "No", and then he can discuss the costs and prospects for success with a custody lawyer in the state that has jurisdiction over the custody case.

Thank you!