Can my child decide where he wants to live at the age of 15?

I actually am the child's step mother but i have been in his life from day one. His father and I do all we can for him but the religion hinders him in so many ways and I feel it may be a dangerous situation if he is not removed from her custody. I am not saying that she is unfit or a bad mother I am just saying that he is at a very critical time in his life and there may be damage already done at this point. He no longer wants to attend church meetings or have anything to do with the church I just feel he needs some space to be a teenager.

I agree with realtygirl. In any state a judge will listen to you when you are 15. It's too bad that the mother can't give her son a little leaway, but it's hard when it's a matter of religion. I was raised in a religious household, but my parents where much more realistic so I didn't rebel when I got out of the house like most of my peers did. Maybe you should talk to the mom if you can and let her know that you respect her beliefs, but that they should give their son a little choice in the matter so he doesn't freak out when he gets out of the house.

The child can't decide where he wants to live until he is 18.

the other parent would have to get custody of the child by going back to court

Thank you for the reply. I was thinking the same thing. But my step son is wishy washy about the whole thing and we dont want to "take him away" from his mother we just want him to grow up safe and happy. I know there will be many times he will be upset with her and many times he will be upset with us.

The child cannot tell a judge where they want to live. The child has no say until they are 18. In WA state we call them GAL (Guardian Ad Litems) they speak for the child. The most the child can do is write a letter and say why they want to live with the other parent. Just because of there age does not mean the other parent will get custody. It is a lot of factors that have to go into it. I don't know if the mother's religion is one of them to be honest...that would be a good question to ask an attorney.