what kind of lawyer is needed for my children and step children

Full Answer

Do lawyers work with kids?

While some lawyers choose to work directly with kids from the start, others do so for different reasons. In some firms, part of the workload includes cases specifically involving children. Many lawyers also volunteer their time with nonprofit groups helping children.

Do I need a lawyer for child custody?

Whether you need a lawyer for child custody depends largely on whether you and your spouse can agree. Some parents can work out a parenting plan or child custody agreement on their own, peacefully, while others will fight for what they believe is fair and right for their child.

Do you need a lawyer for family law?

Whether it's handling a real estate transaction, setting up a business, or dealing with a family law issue, there are a vast number of situations where the experience and expertise of a good lawyer will be necessary. So, You Need to Find a Lawyer What's the Legal Difference Between Annulment and Divorce?

Is a step child a legal child?

Who Are Step-Children. Step-children are the children of your partner or spouse, if you haven’t adopted them. (If you have adopted them, they are legally your children, with the same legal connections to you as children born to you.) There is no legal tie between you and your step-children.

Are you responsible for your stepchildren?

But what are your legal rights and responsibilities? In a nutshell, you have none. While you might perform all the day-to-day tasks of a biological parent, stepparents have no legal rights or responsibilities when it comes to their stepchildren.

What are the rights of stepchildren?

In fact, California law states that stepchildren do not inherit until all of the relatives directly related to the stepparent – or relatives descended from the stepparent's grandparents – receive property. This can even apply if your stepparent inherited your biological parent's assets upon their passing.

What legal rights does a stepmom have?

Unfortunately, step parents do not have any legal rights to their stepchildren, even if you consider them to be your own children. Unless you legally adopted these children as your own, you cannot lay claim to them during your divorce proceedings.

What is a step parent responsible for?

Custody Rights for Stepparents This parent is responsible for taking care of the child, making all important decisions for the child, and providing a home for the child. If you are a stepparent and want to receive custody rights to your stepchildren, you will have to establish your relationship with the child.

What step parents should not do?

What not to do as a stepparentTry too hard to please: Many stepparents try too hard to please their stepchildren. ... Impose your own rules without an agreement: Rules often cause misunderstandings in families with stepparents. ... Set your expectations too high: Don't assume you will fit in with the new family immediately.More items...•

How do I get parental responsibility for my stepchild?

A step-parent can make an application to the court for the Judge to make an order that they have parental responsibility for the step-child. If this happens, those that already have parental responsibility of the child will be provided with notice of the application to the court.

How do you deal with toxic stepchildren?

Here are some survival tips:Expect stepchildren to criticize you. There's no way around it. ... Expect them to watch you like a hawk. If you have marriage tension, they will notice it and magnify it in their own minds. ... Stay true to yourself. Talk and act normally in front of them. ... Keep “healthy distance” in the picture.

Does a stepfather have parental rights?

On acquiring step parental responsibility, a step parent has the same duties and responsibilities as a biological parent. Same sex partners in a registered civil partnership or marriage can also obtain parental responsibility by Agreement or a Court Order.

Is a step parent considered a parent?

Stepparents are not legal parents of the child unless they complete a stepparent adoption, which requires the termination of the other legal parent's rights or the consent of that parent. See: stepparent adoption.

Do I have to pay maintenance for my stepchildren?

First, the Child Maintenance Service can't require a step-parent to pay maintenance for a step-child. However, if the step-child was raised as if it were part of a new family – consisting of the step-parent, biological parent, and any children – the courts could determine that the step-parent needs to cover some costs.

Is a stepfather a legal guardian?

Stepparents as Legal Guardians A stepparent may be appointed a legal guardian for the child, but the biological parents are still legally and financially responsible for the children. However, if something were to happen to the parents, there is a bit more legal room for the stepparent to have rights.

Can a step-parent discipline a stepchild?

Can I Discipline My Stepchild? While a stepparent may not be a legal parent, disciplining a child is perfectly legal (so long as it doesn't involve excessive corporal punishment). Unless the discipline crosses the line, a stepparent should have the authority and support of their partner to discipline.

Do step parents have rights?

A step-parent with Parental Responsibility has the same legal rights, duties and responsibilities as a natural parent or other person with Parental responsibility would have. Parental Responsibility is the same for each person that shares it in respect of a child.

Can a step parent discipline a stepchild?

Can I Discipline My Stepchild? While a stepparent may not be a legal parent, disciplining a child is perfectly legal (so long as it doesn't involve excessive corporal punishment). Unless the discipline crosses the line, a stepparent should have the authority and support of their partner to discipline.

Is a stepfather a legal guardian?

Stepparents as Legal Guardians A stepparent may be appointed a legal guardian for the child, but the biological parents are still legally and financially responsible for the children. However, if something were to happen to the parents, there is a bit more legal room for the stepparent to have rights.

How do you deal with toxic stepchildren?

Here are some survival tips:Expect stepchildren to criticize you. There's no way around it. ... Expect them to watch you like a hawk. If you have marriage tension, they will notice it and magnify it in their own minds. ... Stay true to yourself. Talk and act normally in front of them. ... Keep “healthy distance” in the picture.