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Question: What rights do stepparents have in the care of step-kids?

Answer: Stepparents have no specific rights over their stepchildren. The biological parent has decision-making authority over the children in all matters related to the child's health and upbringing. In other words, the stepparent can't consent to medical care, can't sign paperwork for school, etc.

A stepparent who has acted as parent for a child for a long time, and who is now being divorced from the biological parent, may have some visitation rights if a judge decides the relationship is in the child's best interests.

Even though the stepparent has no rights relative to the child, if the stepparent is a custodian of the child, that adult can make certain control / discipline decisions affecting the child in the absence of a biological parent. A stepmother, for example, who is taking care of the child during the father's absence on a business trip, can set curfew, mealtimes, and other rules that affect childhood discipline while the child is in the care of that adult.
Comments
6 thru 10 of 91 comments
On 04/06/09
Emily from TX said:
I am a step parent to three children and all I can say is that the child will know who the better partent is the bio or step. They can feel the love and who cares and makes time for them and their needs. When bio does not like the step for what ever reason the child will wonder why. If bio is the one to teach the child to love then the child will think at least the step cares enough to make time and show love.The child will be the one teaching the love.I think bio and step should get along only for the childs best interest and not make it a competition or take it personal.Show life goes on.
On 04/02/09
Cec from NE said:
You know I have been the child in the step parent/parent situation, and now I am the Step parent. My life was simply put "Shit". At 12 i told my Real Dad that he was not my dad and had never been my dad. That was the last time I talked to him untell i found out he had passed away (my 18th B-day of all days) Now I am the Step Dad of a beautiful daughter. Who sadly to say has a real dad that acts just like mine did. I feel Horible nowing I have no Rights to protect her from what I know will hapen. Me and my Wife get into arguments about it all the time. Just do what you can and hope for the best
On 03/18/09
LORI from MO said:
I AM A STEPMOM AND A BIOMOM AND I AM PROUD TO SAY I LOVE ALL MY KIDS THE SAME .I WISH THE COURTS WOULD ALLOW STEPPARENTS RIGHTS WE SUPPORT THE KIDS LOVE AND MONEY WISE AND SOME OF US DO A BETTER JOB THEN THE REAL PARENT .I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW WE HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHTS BUT WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD SUPPORT OR ANYTHING ELSE THEY TAKE OUR MONEY THE GOVERNMENT TOOK MY TAX RETURNS TO PAY FOR BACK CHILD SUPPORT THAT HUSBAND OWES AND ON TOP OF THAT THE OLDEST ONE CHOOSES TO LIVE WITH ME AND HER DAD AND WE STILL PAY HER 480 A MONTH ON THE OTHER KID . THE SYSTEM IS NOT RIGHT
On 03/17/09
Jewel from MN said:
I am a step-mother to two kids ages 6 and 7 yrs. I am the only mother they know and have been in their lives for 4 1/2 yrs. Their father and I are now divorcing and he has decided to completely shut me and my 13 yr old whom they know as their big sister, out of their lives. He agrees I am a wonderful mother and had originally let me have them every other weekend. But now due to his selfishness and wanting to hurt me, he has not let me see them in a month! I love them as my own, and my daughter misses them terribly! Is there anything I can do? We have not done the divorce yet.
On 03/16/09
SK from SC said:
Everyone sounds so angry in regards to their personal perspective.(especially TX) I think this anger stems from some guilt of not being a good enough parent or stepparent.
6 thru 10 of 91 comments


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