Stepparents & the Law 2
Show Notes
About the Guest
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Family law in the U.S. says a child can only have two parents. So, outside of legally adopting a stepchild, stepparents of 15 years have fewer rights than foster parents of a couple of weeks. And, if you want to leave your stepchildren an inheritance, you better have a will because intestacy and probate laws don't recognize them as valid recipients. What's the point? When it comes to stepfamilies and the law, don't make any assumptions.
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Ron Deal
Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series
You may have a deep bond with your stepchild, but you can’t give permission for a dental cleaning.
Ron: You may have a deep bond with your stepchild, but you can’t give permission for a dental cleaning.
Announcer: For FamilyLife Blended®, here’s Ron Deal.
Ron: Yeah, family law in the U.S. says a child can only have two parents. So, outside of legally adopting a stepchild, stepparents of 15 years have fewer rights than foster parents of a couple of weeks. And if you intend, when you die, to leave your stepchildren an inheritance, you better have a will because intestacy and probate laws don’t recognize them as valid recipients.
And, if you’re not confused yet, the federal government will let you claim them as dependent children on your taxes, but state law won’t let you sign their field trip permission form. What’s the point? When it comes to stepfamilies and the law, don’t make any assumptions. For FamilyLife Blended, I’m Ron Deal.
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