Yes they can decide at age 13 however it may need to get re-established in court.
... instability. Can I somehow make this aware to the court and either make her get help or switch custody?
no, see links below
no see links below
Only after demonstrating a pattern of frequent contact
You have to file at your local Cout House for temporary custody of a child. The court will decide if you get temporary custody or not depending on the circumstances. Temporary custody can be contested in court.
As a parent with joint custody, the school will allow them to sign anything related to their own child. If they have been absent from the child's life, contact your lawyer to make the necessary changes to your custody order.
Generally the child cannot make that decision until they reach eighteen years of age unless the parents can agree to the change.
Cannot answer completely without knowing the state iof residence. As a GENERAL RULE - a minor cannot unilaterally decide which parent to live with if their custody has been awarded by the court.
Yes, custodial issues and child support obligations are two completely different issues and one has no bearing on any decision that may be made concerning the other.
Joint Custody "My parents divorced when I was 2 years old. Because I was so young, I cannot remember anything of how the divorce actually felt at the time. But 12 years later, I am quite content with my life and my parents. Unlike many divorced couples with children, neither parent has primary custody of me, but rather, I switch between my parents' houses every other day, spending roughly equal time with my mother and my father." Equal Time - A Teen's Views On Joint Custody Charlotte Juerge Newsweek - Dec 15, 2008 see links
Once custody has been determined by a court it would take another court order to change that arrangement. The court may listen to a child's request to change custody but it is under no obligation to modify the custody order at the child's request. The court would be looking for an appropriate reason to order a change in custody such as the custodial parent being unfit and the change being in the best interest of the child.A child is free to decide which parent to live with in every state once they have reached eighteen years of age.
Once custody has been determined by a court it would take another court order to change that arrangement. The court may listen to a child's request to change custody but it is under no obligation to modify the custody order at the child's request. The court would be looking for an appropriate reason to order a change in custody such as the custodial parent being unfit and the change being in the best interest of the child.A child is free to decide which parent to live with in every state once they have reached eighteen years of age.