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Speak Up! - View Question #152 |
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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.
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| Comments |
| 36 thru 40 of 91 comments |
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On 02/10/08
sarah from MI said:
I have some questions regarding step parent rights. my 3 year old knows her bio father, but he only comes to see her about once a year. my boyfriend and i are the ones raising her. we want to eventually get married, but what can i do between now and then to ensure that he can make emergency decisions for her if i cant?
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On 12/09/07
brando from UT said:
i have 2 step kids who wants to spend time with me as with their siblings which i am bio. Their mother refuses let them visit. Their bio father doesnt mind if i have visitiation with them but not the mother. What can i do for them. I had been told by friends that they had been crying for me.
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On 11/19/07
Amanda from KS said:
I have been in my stepdaughters life for almost four years now. I married her father almost a year ago, and now I'm pregnant. My husband is now in Iraq, and I'm not being allowed to see or talk to my stepdaughter. There has to be something I can do. Anyone?
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On 11/01/07
Aley from MI said:
As a stepmother of 3 wonderful children I have to ask you if you are the absent parent how do you expect us as stepparents to not step in and take your role? I suppose it would be better if we were just a glorified babysitter. Let us not forget though YOU are the one who is absent and we who pick up the pieces to make your child whole again. So instead of being jealous of the situation step up and co parent. I have 2 ex's to deal with One I co parent with and one who just refuses to be a grown up. If you married into children you knew what you were getting into and are ready for anything.
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On 10/30/07
Cofer from WA said:
I'm a step mother... the whole time I've been with my husband I've always said I would give my stepdaughters mother her role, I was just to be a friend. What would you do, If the real mother did nothing but down grade me and try to make my step daughter hate me! plus she tries to even get my husband back! I absolutely dont appreciate her attitude, and the fact that she thinks she has the right to take our daughter away from us whenever she may feel like!
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