Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Re: Rights of a Step Parent

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As a general rule, the simple answer is No. The natural parent has a preference as the custodial parent over anyone else unless it can be shown that there are reasons to find the individual an unfit parent. The child's best interests are taken into consideration but almost always, the child will live with a natural parent despite any instructions to the contrary you may leave in your will or other instrument.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.