What should I do if I am a mother-in-law, the birth mother has not seen my stepson for 3 years, and my stepson was in foster care when his father was granted custody. The CPS removed my son-in-law from my mother`s house. Mom has supervised visits, but does not visit my son-in-law or call my son-in-law. He is almost 9 years old and has been living with me and his father since he was 3 years old. My son-in-law calls me mom. He knows I`m not his biological mother because I explained it to him. But I love him as my own child, and I don`t think our bond could get any stronger. Anyway, his father and I could get divorced. Do I have a chance of custody or access? My son-in-law lives with me and his father has moved. He lives in a studio apartment with one of his friends and I have a house and my son-in-law has his own room and is at school. If you didn`t adopt the child before the divorce, it`s unlikely you`ll have to pay child support for your stepson. Some states require stepparents to pay child support, but Indiana is not one of them. However, you may have to pay child support if you agree to act on behalf of the child in Loco Parentis.

In the United States, about 40% of all married couples with children are mixed families. This means that in each of these households, at least half of the couple helps raise their spouse`s children. The question is often asked, what are the rights of stepparents when it comes to their stepchildren, not only in their daily lives, but when the marriage ends in divorce? Which 20 states are legally required to support stepchildren? Is there a list somewhere? What is it? Thank you. Their obligation to pay child support for a spouse`s child always comes after the duty of the child`s biological parents to support the child. If a child has reached a certain age, some states require the child`s consent to adoption by his or her step-parent for the petition to be accepted by the court. The age at which this is required can vary greatly from state to state, so parents should ask a family attorney about their area`s adoption laws. I agree, Dee. I have a stepson who I have been raising full time (with his father) since he was 8 years old (he is almost 16 years old).

He considers me his mother, but I have no legal rights. It`s frustrating that the in-laws involved don`t get the rights we deserve. I will adopt him when he turns 18. It`s very discouraging for me I`m an 11 year old mother-in-law in his life since he was 8 years old. I see his complaints, hug him, cook for him and hear that just being treated like strangers is very hurtful. At common law, a step-parent is not required by law to provide for his or her stepchildren. There are two exceptions: Thank you Olivia!! From all of us who fight at the end of the stage and do our best, despite the poison we never asked for. However, some states have passed laws that allow in-laws to visit. Other states also allow “interested third parties” to request visits, and in-laws may be considered interested third parties in certain situations. Stepparents are not required by law to financially support their stepchildren unless, in some cases, the step-parent has chosen to assume some of the same legal responsibilities as the biological parent. According to state law, stepparents can also affect the amount of child support a stepchild receives from each parent.

Even after the separation of the biological parents, they still have joint parental responsibility. This means that they are collectively responsible for making important decisions, such as where their children go to school and how their children are cared for until the age of 18. Sometimes a biological parent can apply to the court for sole parental responsibility. The court decides on the basis of what is in the best interests of the child. Today, 15% of children live with two remarried parents. According to the current 2013 demographic survey, six per cent of all children live with a stepparent. Some states, such as Arizona, allow the rights of the biological parent or legal guardian to be transferred to the stepparent through a power of attorney. But not all states accept the proxy form and they are often limited in time and what they allow. In Arizona, they are only valid for a maximum of six months. Now, nearly half of the states (23) have laws that allow in-laws to visit. Ten of these states specifically name stepparents who have the right to request visits, and another 13 states list in-laws as “interested third parties.” Five other states allow in-laws to request visits.

There is an exception for emergency medical situations where you may be asked to consent to an intervention if none of your stepson`s biological parents are available. If the children are at home as if you were the babysitter or nanny, you are responsible for their health and well-being. It is best practice for birth parents to take the initiative in disciplining their own children, with stepparents playing a supporting role. This means that as a stepparent (along with your spouse), you control things like: Every family is unique. It is not uncommon for a step-parent to play an important role in the life and upbringing of a child in the family unit. In some families, many in-laws gave more love and support than the biological parents who came before them. And yet, their rights are relatively limited in addition to those of their biological parents.