Custody law regarding stepparents is particularly cut and dry compared to strict blood relations. A Custody Law Lawyer in Blue Springs MO explores the expectations and realities of stepfathers in regards to custody. Unfortunately for the many stepfathers of the world, the news is not favorable. Conversely, the new social shifts and dynamics are encouraging lawmakers to revisit the position of stepfathers when it comes to custody. New assessments and trends are encouraging wider discussions about what constitutes the family unit.
Birth Fathers and Stepfathers
The birth father takes precedent in the court of law. If nothing additional is on the table, such as a power of attorney or a document detailing right of custody from a mother, a stepfather’s chances of any custody are slim. Stepfathers require these additional tools to improve their argument and get them “on the table” when it comes to custody.
In most instances, a birth father controls the table if he provides no willingness to partake in custody with the stepfather. If he is in the life of the child and he has partial custody now, it is extremely unlikely that custody will be relinquished to the stepfather. This is especially so if the birth father is not interested in such an arrangement.
A Common Family Set-Up: Mother Support
A common dynamic is one that provides a stepfather a fighting chance. A Custody Law Lawyer in Blue Springs MO can work in a situation that has mother support. In this example, the mother supports the fact that a stepfather wants to spend time with the child. The case is especially strong if the birth father is no longer in the picture. If this is the situation, a mother can sign a power of custody to the stepfather which essentially allows them some actual precedence over a birth father. Of course, the birth father must be approached for this to occur. His approval is not necessary if he is unable to be tracked down.
Contact Dana Outlaw Law Office for more details regarding stepfather opportunities in declaring custody. It is an uphill battle, but in this day and age, it is not an impossible one.
