Until what age is the mother entitled to custody of the children after divorce?

Under Act 303 s.84, the mother's right of hadhanah ends when a boy reaches seven and a girl nine. The court may, on the mother's application, allow her to keep custody until a boy reaches nine and a girl eleven. When that period ends, custody passes to the father; but a child who has reached discernment (mumaiyiz) may choose to live with either the mother or the father, unless the court orders otherwise. In every decision, the child's welfare is the paramount consideration. These ages are a legal guideline, not a severing of ties: the child keeps the right to see both parents. See Hadhanah & lineage.