This literature-based article will acquaint family counselors with the relevant family law statutes to better guide their counseling with stepfamilies and to help stepparents better understand the current laws regarding their status. The article will specifically address stepparent status, postdivorce custody, visitation, financial support plus inheritance.
Carter, B., & McGoldrick, M. (2005). Remarried families. In B. Carter & M. McGoldrick (Eds), The expanded family life cycle: Individual, family and social perspectives (3rd ed., pp. 417-435). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
2.
Felker, J.A., Fromme, D.K., Arnaut, G.L., & Stoll, B.M. (2002). A qualitative analysis of stepfamilies: The stepparent . Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 38, 125-142.
3.
Gately, N.J., Pike, L.T., & Murphy, P.T. (2006). An exploration of the impact of the family court process on ``invisible'' stepparents. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 44, 31-52.
4.
Gosselin, J., & David, H. (2007). Risk and resilience factors linked with psychosocial adjustment of adolescents, stepparents and biological parents. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 48, 29-53.
5.
Hans, J.D. (2002). Stepparenting after divorce: Stepparents' legal position regarding custody, access and support. Family Relations , 51, 302-307.
6.
Hawaii Review Statutes, 577-4 (1999).
7.
Jones, A.C. (2003). Reconstructing the stepfamily: Old myths, new stories. Social Work, 48, 228-236.
8.
Mahoney, M.M. (2006). Stepparents as third parties in relation to their stepchildren. Family Law Quarterly, 40, 81-108.
9.
Malia, S.E.C. (2003). Balancing family members' interests regarding stepparent rights and obligations: A social policy challenge. Family Relations, 54, 298-319.
10.
Mason, M.A., Harrison-Jay, S., Svare, G.M., & Wolfinger, N.H. (2002). Stepparents: De Facto parents or legal strangers. Journal of Family Issues, 23, 507-522.
11.
Michaels, M.L. (2006). Stepfamily enrichment program: A preventive intervention for remarried couples. Journal for Specialists in Group Work , 31, 135-152.
12.
Missouri Review Statutes, 453, 4000 (1999).
13.
Portrie, T., & Hill, N.R. (2005). Blended families: A critical review of the current research. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 13, 445-451.
14.
Principles of the law of family dissolution: Analysis and recommendations . (2001). Duke Journal of Gender Law and Policy , 8, 1-85.
15.
Skinner, D.A., & Kohler, J.K. (2002). Parental rights in diverse family contexts: Current legal developments. Family Relations, 51, 293-300.
16.
Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act, 9A U.L.A. (1998).
17.
Wilkes, C., & Fromme, D.K. (2002). Stability and change in the experiences of parents, stepparents and adolescents in stepfamilies. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 38, 109-123.
