Assumption: "Whatever my child says about the other parent must be their genuine, unprompted view."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
A parent may treat their child's stated wishes and feelings as automatically reliable and free of outside influence.
Court Reality
Courts are alert to the risk that a child's expressed wishes can reflect a parent's negative comments, direct pressure, or a child's own incomplete understanding of the situation, rather than the child's own settled view. This is part of why the court retains discretion over how much weight to give a child's wishes, rather than treating them as decisive.
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The Gap?
"Whatever my child says about the other parent must be their genuine, unprompted view."
Court Reality
Courts are alert to the risk that a child's expressed wishes can reflect a parent's negative comments, direct pressure, or a child's own incomplete understanding of the situation, rather than the child's own settled view. This is part of why the court retains discretion over how much weight to give a child's wishes, rather than treating them as decisive.
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