The rights of step-parents aren’t as obvious or well-known as biological parental rights. If you are a step-parent who is working to become a part of your step-child’s family, then understanding your rights can not only empower you to develop an enduring bond with your step-child but can legally substantiate your role in the child’s life.
At Sharp Family Law, our step-parents rights solicitors can provide legal advice on your rights to your step child, how it is affected by marriage, divorce, and separation, and how to obtain parental responsibility.
We’ll do everything we can to provide clarity and insight into your circumstances as a stepparent. We can provide guidance on whether or not step-parents have rights. Whilst the short answer is no, not necessarily, there are ways for you to use your family role to gain them.
Our step-parent rights solicitors can help with matters such as:
- Clarifying your legal rights and responsibilities as a step-parent
- Offering expert guidance on Parental Responsibility and Child Arrangement applications
- Assisting in negotiations with family members
- Drafting legal agreements
- Court representation
- Sensitive and discrete support until your priorities are addressed
Speak to our step-parents’ rights solicitors in Bristol, Bath and Bradford on Avon
For specialist legal advice on step-parents’ rights, please contact our experts today.
To arrange an initial meeting, whether that is in person or remotely, please contact our local offices in Bristol, Bath and Bradford on Avon or use our simple online enquiry form to request a call back.
Frequently asked questions about step-parents’ rights
What rights do step-parents have?
You become a step-parent when you marry into the family and take on the role of a parental figure in the child’s life. Married step-parents rights differ slightly from civil partners or other relationship dynamics, and the laws on step-parents rights aren’t immediately clear in what can be complex family law.
However, step-parents have no inherent rights relating to the child unless they acquire formal Parental Responsibility, which is simila to the process undertaken by unmarried fathers.
Can step-parents get parental responsibility?
Step-parents can, indeed, get parental responsibility. However, in order to get parental responsibility, they will need the signatures of everyone who already has parental responsibility over the child in question.
The legal processes surrounding getting parental rights for step-parents are intended for the court to protect the child’s best interests and welfare, so you must prove your intentions to foster an enduring, healthy relationship with your stepchild.
Can I adopt a step-child?
Yes, but there are stipulations. Firstly, as you might expect, you need to be at least 21 years of age. Furthermore, you must have been with one of the child’s parents for a minimum of two years and have lived with the child full-time for a minimum of six months.
This is because the court is looking for evidence of your commitment to the child and proof that you understand the obligations you are taking on.
What is the step-parents’ position when the natural parent dies?
Assuming there is no contention between you and any remaining biological parent, you can continue to parent the child with full rights. Your parental rights as a step-parent will remain in the event that the natural parent, your partner, passes away.
What happens if I get divorced as a step-parent?
Divorce as a step-parent can be complex, as your relationship with the child’s biological parent likely facilitates your connection to the child. Furthermore, if you divorce the child’s biological parent, you retain no legal rights to see the child.
However, if you have parental responsibility, the court is much more likely to favourably view you if you proceed through litigation to get a Child Arrangements order, which is your best chance to continue your relationship with your step-child.
A Child Arrangements order is a legal document that details how often you get to see the child, the nature of that contact (i.e whether they are in-person meetings or phone calls) and where the child lives.
You should also note that according to step-parents’ rights in the UK, your obligation to your stepchild or stepchildren can include a financial obligation after the divorce. The Court could consider the needs of your stepchildren when the divorce financial settlement is written up.
If you’d like help sorting out your financial obligations to your stepchild or stepchildren, we recommend you speak to a family law or children’s law solicitor, who will aim to ensure that any agreements are fair.
Why choose Sharp Family Law for help with step-parents’ rights?
Sharp Family Law has one of the biggest teams of family law professionals in the Bath and Bristol area. Our experts regularly help step-parents find their footing and prevent the relationship between them and their step-children from deteriorating due to legality.
Independent recognition for our family law expertise includes, but is not limited to:
- Being ranked by leading client guides the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners
- Having several of our team as members of Resolution– the professional network for family lawyers committed to taking a non-confrontational approach to family law
- Our Senior Partner Richard Sharp, who is a trained collaborative lawyer and family mediator in both the UK and the USA
If you’d like to find out more about our expertise, please take a look at our family law team.
Speak to our step-parent rights solicitors in Bristol, Bath and Bradford on Avon
For specialist legal advice on step-parents legal rights, please contact our experts today.
To arrange an initial meeting, whether that is in person or remotely, please contact our local offices in Bristol, Bath and Bradford on Avon or use our simple online enquiry form to request a call back.