maintenance payments

[Booldawg]

I've heard that when my step-daughter gets to 13 she is legally entitled to choose whether she wants to live with her dad or with us.

If this is the case, are we then responsible for paying maintenance to him?

[madnbad]

i would think you would be. the absent parent male or female will have to pay for the child when living else were as long as it is for more than half the week hope this helps

[Booldawg]

thanks for that. its what i thought the case would be!

[thikasabrik]

Just a comment on the age part of your question - about when your step daughter reaches 13. A friend of mine is going through a messy custody hearing at the moment and was told by the Family Court judge that from March this year a child can choose who they want to live with from the age of 9.