Child custody: preferences of the child.

Existing law requires the court to consider, and give due weight to, the wishes of the child in making an order granting or modifying custody or visitation if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to reason so as to form an intelligent preference as to custody or visitation. If the child is 14 years of age or older and wishes to address the court regarding custody or visitation, existing law requires the court to permit the child to address the court, unless the court determines that doing so is not in the child's best interests. This bill would instead require the court to permit a child who is 10 years of age or older to address the court regarding custody or visitation, unless the court determines that doing so is not in the child's best interest.