Step-parents

What rights does a step mother have. This is another issue I've been dealing with. She interferes with the parenting of my child. She'll call me to tell me her thoughts on the decisions I make for my son. If I don't want her picking my son up or get information from the Doc's office and such, do I have a right deny her that. And what if her husband gives her permission to pick up our son and get information. Again we have joint legal custody.

[MySonsMom]

If your X gives her permission to do such things, there is nothing you can do about that...Just as long as it doesn't interfere with you or your time. As far as her calling you and giving you suggestions or whatever, that is simple..Do not accept her calls. If it's a big problem then tell your X that whatever needs to be communicated to you regarding the child needs to come from him, and not the stepMom. She did marry him, and is a stepPARENT, so you have allow her some leway regarding parent's obligations. She doesn't have rights to the child, but being a step parent she does have an obligation. So if her and your X have an arrangement that she picks him up for school (on his time with the child) then that is ok, if she gives him permission to seek medical treatment or pick up records for him, that is ok. Now, the exception would be if she is picking him up from school or whatever on YOUR time with the child, then you can put a stop to that. But I think what you are referring to is her doing things for/with the child when the child is in his/her care. Since they are married, she is considered as a parent to the child, with no rights. Hope that makes sense.

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*There is no love, like the unconditional love of a Mother*

-I am not an Attorney, any advice given is strictly advice-

MSM, is this sentence correct? if she gives him permission to seek medical treatment or pick up
records for him, that is ok. So, if the child has to go to the ER for an emergency, the stepmom can take him and sign for it?OR if he goes to a dr. visit and needs a parent signature for a shot or something, she has the legal right to sign?Just wanting to make sure that was correct for my own benefit.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by justlooking:
[b]MSM, is this sentence correct? if she gives him permission to seek medical treatment or pick up records for him, that is ok. So, if the child has to go to the ER for an emergency, the stepmom can take him and sign for it?


Unfortunately, this is true, because as of the date they were married the SM is now a guardian of the child. If the father has her on his insurance, or she has insurance on the child, she can take that child in. I believe that onlt the parents can ask for medical records, not sure.

OR if he goes to a dr. visit and needs a parent signature for a shot or something, she has the legal right to sign?Just wanting to make sure that was correct for my own benefit.
[/b]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes. if SM is on medical records, she can take him in whenever he needs med. attention.


U

[MySonsMom]

Yes, that is correct. Step parents can obtain medical attention for their step children, can sign school papers etc...If the "other" parent gets iffy about it, all the stepparent has to do is have the spouse write up a release or permission form that allows that stepparent to do such things. So if you wanted to cause a problem with her taking the child to the doctor, signing things..You could...But all your X has to do is write up a permission slip that the step mom will carry around for her protection.

It comes down to this. Step parents ARE parents too. They may not have the rights as bio parent's have, but they are parent's and have obligations to all children involved in the household.

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*There is no love, like the unconditional love of a Mother*

-I am not an Attorney, any advice given is strictly advice-