The Legal Rights Of Step-Parents

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The Legal Rights Of Step-Parents

Debbie Does Divorce with Susan Reach Winters

Posted to by Debbie Nigro on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 8:35am

Do you know who really has legal rights over step-children? From signing report cards to drafting a will, legal expert Susan Reach Winters has some surprising answers in her informative chat with Debbie.

Click the following to return a directory of articles and resource videos on Kids, Family and Divorce.

Comments

Step parent involvement with step children

Submitted by Please help me... (not verified) on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 5:31pm.
I am the step mother of two children, ages 6 and 4. The biological mother seeks to get a restraining order (against me, the step mother) to prevent me from visiting the children's' schools for school functions when, specifically my husband is not with me. In other words, it is acceptable IF my husband is with me, but it is NOT acceptable if he is not present. She has stated that I am not allowed on the school room without my husband at any time she, the biological mother, is in the room. Would the law support her in this endeavor to get a restraining order? Can you please inform as to any relevant laws and advice, links. I have no skeletons in the closet, and have supported the children so they would know I care about them, and to try and support their best interests. I am divorced, and have 3 children of my own. I have been very respectful of the biological mother's concerns, but she is going to an extreme now threatening a restraining order. I would appreciate any advice. Many thanks for any help.

step parents

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Sun, 01/03/2010 - 12:49pm.
I am having the same problem with my husbands ex. I havent found any good info. yet. I have been in the girls lives for 4 yrs. now and it is getting worse with the ex.

separation

Submitted by Ashara (not verified) on Sun, 12/20/2009 - 2:46am.
When my husband and I got married we fought for and got custody of his 18 month and 2 1/2 year old children from his previous marriage. My husband and I are now seperated and have been for almost 2 years. I have been consistantly in the children's lives about 50% since the seperation. I even had the elder in my care alone for about 6 months this year while my husband was living elsewhere. I was wondering about getting legal visition and how I can go about that

Separation

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 1:19pm.
If the eldest daughter has been in your custody for 6 mos, there are some states that would grant you custody based on abandonment. Alabama being one of them however, the monkey wrench is the fact that you are the step-parent instead of the biological parent. I know this is true between biological parents because my husbands ex-wife left her daughter from another marriage with that daughter's father for 6 mos and he was granted custody as an open and shut case based on abandonment. My husband has 2 additional children with this woman that we are currently fighting for custody of and I too am a step-parent researching my rights, if any. Good luck sweetheart and from one step parent to another, continue to fight for what is right because there is more to parenting that simple biology!

Step parents rights

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2009 - 2:55pm.
Wanting to learn more about the rights of parents and step parents.

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