Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

my rights as stepfather

Yesterday I wrote about my stepson Derek. I wanted to add that the biological mother had written legal documents giving me custody of Derek which didnt go through the courts..again his biological father had not cared to see Derek for over 10 years. His bio mother has not been around for the past year and I have raised him for 13 years.. his bio mother says she will go to lawyer and do whatever she can to give me her rights to Derek. If so, can I fight for custody for my son?


Asked on 7/08/08, 2:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Simpson

Re: my rights as stepfather

You don't say what "legal documents" the mother gave you for custody. As you rightly surmise if the mother did not bother to involve the court in the process, the papers won't carry much weight. Where was the bio father then? No reason given why he has not seen his son for over ten years. If it was because he did not care to see his son during that time and did not support him, then he has a long road to hoe to try to obtain custody. Conversely, why would a court grant the mother custody so she could give custody to you. The child must be considered here. He's 13. Maybe he ought to give the judge his thoughts on this whole situation without the influence of you, the mother or the bio father.

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Answered on 7/08/08, 3:18 pm


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