My dad getting out of prison

my dad is getting out of prison (for dwi) the 29th and my mom says I cant go live with him isnt it my desition if I want to or not since I am 16.

NO, it is who ever has custody/ a courts decision. Just because you are 16 and know right from wrong and good from bad ... doesn't mean you can just go and live w/ your father.

However, if you want to live w/ your dad tell your mom... tell her your reasons, your feelings and why you think it will be better for you.

I told her that I wanted to live w/ my dad but she said he can take her to court if he wants me and my dad would just be getting out of prison and wont have that kind of money to get a lawyer or any thing like that and everytime I try to talk to her about it we end up fighting about it.

Sometimes you don't need a lawyer for these situations. If he can prove that he can maintain you finacially and send you to school a roof over your head and food on the table etc... And you as 16 testify where you want to live and give reasons, then I would say your dad has a good chance of getting custody. Now with his DUI they might ask that he take some alcohol mangement or AA classes... Discuss it with BOTH of your parents... and if it means going to court ... go to court (Family Court)

Until you are 18, nothing like that is your decision. But the older you get the more pull you have in court. Custody is a huge thing. I would go for visiting first. See how you like that, then go from there.

yea you can't make any decisions, and think of it this way, IF you were older and had a girl of 16 that you loved and cared about,...would you let her go with her father that just got out of prison right away? OR would you wait a little to see what would be best for your daughter? Im sure she just wants the best for you, don't fight it, let it simmer for now,just spend as much time with him as she lets you and im sure that if she see's that you are extremely happy around him, in time she'll give in.

If your father is an alcoholic, there isn't any way he can properly take care of you, since he has displayed he can't take care of himself. AA isn't a class, it is a way of life. If he is having problems with alcohol and want help for himself, an AA meeting is the best place for him to be. You may want to look into Alanon/Alateen meetings as well. It is a support group for loved ones of an alcoholic. Try to see mom's point on this one, and keep 18 in sight. You will be able to make your own rules when you can pay your own way.