Question:
What are the child custody laws pertaining to stepparent visitation rights?
Is there a chance that a stepfather could receive visitation with his stepchild post-divorce?
The child’s biological father is no longer in the picture and the stepfather is the only Dad he knows. Can child custody agreements be formally worked out with stepparents?
Answer:
I am not licensed to practice law in your state so I cannot offer legal advice on divorce. However, I can give you general divorce help for men that may be useful to you.
There are a few factors that will affect the outcome of this situation. Obviously, if the stepfather had adopted the child, that would be the easy answer to your question.
If not, then the court will consider various other factors in the situation. The Court will consider how long the marriage was, how long the stepfather was in the child’s life, whether there is a strong bond with the child, and whether it would be in the child’s best interest to continue the relationship with the stepfather, amongst others.
Since the parties had agreed to visitation, I would also find out if there were written child custody agreements of some kind, as there usually is in these situations. If so, that must be followed.
I recommend that you have the stepfather meet with an attorney and see what can be done about possibly getting him visitation with the child.
Cordell & Cordell has mens divorce lawyers located nationwide. To arrange an initial consultation with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Janet Yu Johnston, an Associate Attorney in the Louisville, Kentucky office, please contact Cordell & Cordell.
