Do a Child's Preferences About Which Parent He or She Wants to Live With Matter?

Parents engaged in a custody battle often focus on everything from rights to phantom "best interests" to tradition--and family courts seem willing to consider about everything under the sun.  But often the child's wishes in the matter are overlooked, or even if considered, minimized by an overcontrolling parent.  Though all courts will consider a child's preferences, few take the initiative to ask, and unless a child is assertive enough to speak up for him or herself, the child's will is often ignored.

What do the experts say about when a child can make a decision?  What arguments can a child or parent make that will persuade a court?  Here we collect some useful articles for parents or children encountering this often overlooked issue in reading the tea leaves of "best interests"

But what does the child want? 

More Useful Links:

http://www.divorcesupport.com/divorce/A-Child-rsquo-s-Preference-in-Custody-Case-130.html

http://farzadlaw.com/california-child-custody/childs-preference-custody-how-when-choose/

California Law on Child Preferences:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fam&group=03001-04000&file=3040-3049