Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

rights to being a stepfather

Thank you Mr.Sher for answering my first question. Next question I have for you is this. If the childerns real father has waved his legal rights to visitation, because he moved out of town to live with his sister. Can he just give an take his visitation as he please's with his ex, my wife? Next question is we have a open line of communication,which is are home# so the father can talk to the childern, problem is the two kids don't like talking to him all that much when their with us. My question is what are my rights, when he threaten's my wife an I about open communication for him, but he didn't believe it when the kid's aren't around to talk, he start's yelling and using colorful metaphor's at my wife and I and threaten's to take her to court. What my right as a husband and also as a stepfather then.


Asked on 2/26/09, 3:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: rights to being a stepfather

1st question--if he reconsiders and decides he wants to exercise visitation, no court will deprive him for that reason.

2nd question--you certainly can protect your wife if need be and she in turn can protect the children from abusive conduct by the father. At the same time, you should encourage communication between him and the children as long as it is civil and constructive for the children. He's attacking you verbally because he feels you are deliberately preventing him from communicating with his children. Once he feels you aren't a barrier, the abusive language should stop. If it continues, this will probably end up in court or worse.

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Answered on 2/26/09, 4:26 pm


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