CA AB1050

Requires family courts to consider and give due weight to a child's wishes regarding custody or visitation if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to form an intelligent preference, effective January 1, 2012.

Permits children age 14 or older to address the court regarding custody or visitation unless the court determines it is not in the child's best interests and states its reasons on the record.

Allows children under 14 to address the court if the court determines it is appropriate based on the child's best interests.

Requires courts to provide alternative means of obtaining input from the child if the court prevents any child from being called as a witness.

Mandates the Judicial Council to establish court procedures for examining child witnesses and guidelines for alternative methods of obtaining child input by January 1, 2012.