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In Florida, the age a child can choose a parent to live with will depend on the child's overall maturity. Unlike other states, in Florida, there is no particular age when courts must consider a child's preference. Instead, a judge will decide whether: the child is intelligent enough to make a choice.

Kids Can Have Some Say in Time-Sharing, But Florida Law Does Not Identify a Specific Age. While minors cannot entirely refuse visitation with one parent, courts can consider the child's preference for time-sharing when deciding what type of custody arrangement is in the child's best interests.

Unlike many other states, there is no set age at which a child may choose which parent he/she wants to live with. What are some of the factors that judges consider when determining child custody issues?

You can represent yourself if you so choose. This is called pro se representation. But just because you're allowed to represent yourself doesn't mean you should. For example, if you're going through a contentious divorce or battling child custody, these are not legal issues you want to tackle alone.

While there is no guarantee of a specific custody arrangement, the state of Florida generally favors shared parental responsibility and encourages frequent and continuing contact with both parents, unless it's determined that such an arrangement would not be in the best interests of the child.

Child custody law in Florida does not give any preference to fathers or mothers during child custody rulings. Beginning July 1, 2023, there is a rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing is in the best interest of the child.