11 yo wants to live with Dad vs Mom, is it realistic to obtain custody?

[slg]

My husbands daughter has made mention of wanting to live with us. She is 11 years old. She brought it up with her mother who told her 'it wouldn't be right for you to live with them'. And she also told her she was not to even discuss it with us. Is there any course of action we can take? Is 11 years old, old enough to have an opinion the court would honor? I read the FAQ and it stated 12 was typically the age.  Is 11 so different?

The original court order for custody was placed in Anoka county, Minnesota. My step daughter and her mother and sister live in Anoka county still (we live in Benton county, 70 miles away). So changes to schools and such would have to take place.

Is there anything we can do to help my husbands daughter to get her wish?

[wendl]

It generally is upto the judge/commissioner. If they feel the child is mature enough then sometimes they will speak to the child alone in their chambers. I would ask an attorney in your area. and WHAT is the reasoning the child wants to move, is she mad at mom etc, things like that will not help.

**These are my opinions, they are not legal advice**