Pursuing Stepparent Rights In Colorado

As a stepparent, you may have been closely involved in your stepchildren’s lives. Perhaps you even functioned as a primary parent figure – just as much or more so than their biological parents. After a breakup, what rights do you have to stay involved in their lives?

At The Law Offices of Rodger C. Daley and Associates, we help stepparents navigate these tricky legal issues. Our lawyers possess a deep understanding of Colorado family law, including the nuances of stepparent rights. For more than 35 years, we have been trusted advisors for clients facing high-stakes family law concerns.

Requesting Visitation Or Rights

Unlike biological or adoptive parents, stepparents do not have default custody rights when it comes to their stepchildren. Pursuing those rights may require requesting custody or visitation in court.

In Colorado, courts ultimately make that determination based on the best interests of the stepchildren. They will look at factors such as:

• How closely you were involved in the stepchildren’s lives
• The duration of your relationship with them
• Your financial and emotional support of the stepchildren
• The detrimental impact on the stepchildren if you’re no longer involved in their lives

While getting custody or visitation rights as a stepparent can be a challenge, you don’t have to face it alone. Our attorneys can help you present a strong case from the outset.

Pursuing Adoption

Another option for stepparents who wish to remain meaningfully involved in their stepchildren’s lives is adoption. Uncontested stepparent adoptions in Colorado are a fairly streamlined process. Once the adoption is finalized, you will have all the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.

However, if one of the stepchildren’s natural parents refuses to give up their rights, you may face an uphill battle to get their parental rights terminated. Knowledgeable legal counsel is essential for both contested and uncontested stepparent adoptions.

Discuss Your Rights As A Stepparent During A Free Consultation

We welcome the opportunity to talk about your unique situation and what we can do to help. For a free initial consultation, please call our office in Denver at 720-773-5708. You can also reach our legal team through this website.