Legal Question in Family Law in Colorado

family law

A man adopts his stepdaughter. Later, he divorces her mother. Even later, he enters into relationship with stepdaughter and they want to get married. They are both nonblood related, consenting adults. This part occurs in Texas. There is a law against marrying a current or former stepchild in Texas. No such law exists in Colorado. Can they get married in Colorado, and first, would they have to get a Petition to terminate parental rights (since he adopted her), which I have been told by a Texas lawyer should be completely feasible in this situation, or would that not even be necessary? Under Title 14 Article 2, Colorado doesn't mention any prohibition of marriage of former steprelated persons, nor does it even mention adoption as being a problem; it only says that marriage is prohibited if relationship is ''by the half or the whole blood.'' In this case, the parties are completely non blood related. What do they need to do by Colorado standards to marry, and would the marriage then be seen as valid in Texas (and other states)?


Asked on 10/03/08, 5:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Patricia F. Bushman BUSHMAN LAW OFFICES

Re: family law

I don't even want to think about someone marrying his daughter, adopted or not. An adopted child is the same as a biological child in the eyes of the law, and the adoption trumped the previous step-relationship.

Sounds like you've already talked to several people and are just looking for validation. You're not getting it here!

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Answered on 10/03/08, 6:24 pm


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