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Just in case you actually care if you're right or wrong, check out the following:
Texas: Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 102.003 (West 1996) (third parties may bring original action for custody of child);
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 102.003 (West 1996) (allowing court to grant visitation to interested parties).
Jacobs v. Balew, 765 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. Ct. App. 1989) (stepparent does not have standing to seek custody absent another reason, such as the unfavorable environment provided by the parent).
American Bar Association Guide to Family Law. Chicago: Times Books, 1996. Self-Help KF505 .Z9 A47 1996.
John DeWitt. "Blood Ties: A Rationale for Child Visitation by Legal Strangers." 55 Washington and Lee Law Review 351 (1998).
Addresses issues that arise when "legal strangers" such as stepparents, foster parents, grandparents, or same-sex partners seek visitation rights. In several cases involving same-sex partners seeking custody of a former partner's biological child, the courts have ruled against in favor of the biological mother. Stepparents fare better with the courts; several states have statutes allowing visitation by stepparents and grandparents. The article notes that in Arizona, the law allows "any party" to request visitation (ARS 25-803 B). The author concludes that "courts and legislatures should support legal parents" rights to raise their children without unwanted interference from legal strangers," and that only on rare occasions should the court contradict a parent's decision about third party visitation.
Texas: Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 102.003 (West 1996) (third parties may bring original action for custody of child);
Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 102.003 (West 1996) (allowing court to grant visitation to interested parties).
Jacobs v. Balew, 765 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. Ct. App. 1989) (stepparent does not have standing to seek custody absent another reason, such as the unfavorable environment provided by the parent).
American Bar Association Guide to Family Law. Chicago: Times Books, 1996. Self-Help KF505 .Z9 A47 1996.
John DeWitt. "Blood Ties: A Rationale for Child Visitation by Legal Strangers." 55 Washington and Lee Law Review 351 (1998).
Addresses issues that arise when "legal strangers" such as stepparents, foster parents, grandparents, or same-sex partners seek visitation rights. In several cases involving same-sex partners seeking custody of a former partner's biological child, the courts have ruled against in favor of the biological mother. Stepparents fare better with the courts; several states have statutes allowing visitation by stepparents and grandparents. The article notes that in Arizona, the law allows "any party" to request visitation (ARS 25-803 B). The author concludes that "courts and legislatures should support legal parents" rights to raise their children without unwanted interference from legal strangers," and that only on rare occasions should the court contradict a parent's decision about third party visitation.