How old does a child have to be in NY before they can decide if they do not want to talk to an absent parent ?

I know alot of people are going to say the legal age is 18, but I also know that the courts take much younger children's feelings into consideration. I'm in NY and my kids are teenagers and want NOTHING to do with their birth mother.


Even though I'm technically their ';stepmom';, I have been in their lives for over 5 years and they have not gotten so much as a phone call or birthday card in all that time from this woman. The only reason she came out from whatever rock she was under is because she got the divorce papers and wants phone calls w/ the kids and of course money, even though she was never asked for child support and has not given 1 CENT in 6 or 7 years towards raising 3 children. These kids call me mom and want NOTHING to do with this woman. Does anyone know of any loopholes in New York law or websites where we can find loopholes to stop these unwanted contacts? Thank youHow old does a child have to be in NY before they can decide if they do not want to talk to an absent parent ?
Unless the children are willing to go to court and talk to a judge about it, you have no legal right to keep the mother away.





A judge can take their feelings into consideration, but if they are very young a judge may decide they are too young to make a decision that could profoundly affect their lives. A judge will also consider that you, the stepmother, may be pushing the kids to exclude her.





Unless she's harming the children, you have no grounds. Harming would be you being able to prove outright violence or negligence.How old does a child have to be in NY before they can decide if they do not want to talk to an absent parent ?
Best thing to do is contact a lawyer for legal advice. No matter what age someone tells you, it's all going to depend on what the judge decides.
Come on now, you are acting like a little kid. Grow up.

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