QLD Custody of Daughter - Old Family Court Orders Still Valid?

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scott white

Member
23 June 2015
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My daughter is 15 nearly 16 and has been living with me for the past year. Her mother now wants to force her to go and live with her. My daughter does not want to go. Can they do this? The original family court orders from 8 years ago said my daughter would reside with her mother (custody of children).
 

AllForHer

Well-Known Member
23 July 2014
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Technically, yes, they have force until the child turns 18, but it's more likely than anything else that any action on this front (contravention application, initiating application, etc) would result in the court making orders reflective of what the child wants. Under s 60CC of the Family Law Act 1975, views expressed by the child are given weight when considering what's in their best interests, and the general consensus is the older they are, the more weight their views are given. By 16, the orders would likely be that the child live with the father and spend time with the mother in accordance with the child's wishes. Hope this helps.