Stepparenting after divorce: Stepparents' legal position regarding custody, access, and support

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both the research and the clinical literature indicate that over time stepparents and stepchildren may develop emotional attachments similar to their biological counterparts. Nevertheless, stepparents are legal strangers to stepchildren - the relationship is not protected by law during marriage or following marital dissolution. There are some legal avenues by which stepparents may obtain parenting rights or be required to provide financial support for a stepchild following divorce. The legal process encountered by stepparents regarding custody, access, and child support are elucidated here, in addition to a discussion of policy recommendations and practical implications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-307
Number of pages7
JournalFamily Relations
Volume51
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2002

Keywords

  • Child support
  • Custody
  • Family law
  • Stepfamilies
  • Visitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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