Legal Question in Family Law in New York

stepchild

In 1986 I got married to my now exwife. She had a daughter from a previous marriage. We had our son in 1986. In 1988 we seperated and she went on welfare. In 1997 she was forced to get a job and get off welfare. But I owe arrears for her daughter. I never adopted her or agreed to be responsible for her. I have been to court numerous times to state she was not my daughter. Finally in 1999 when my son moved in with me they finally terminated the order for her daughter. I can't understand how I have been charged over 30,000 in arrears and her biological father owes nothing. Was I responsible for her daughter or her father. What is the law on stepchildren.


Asked on 3/30/01, 6:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: stepchild

Until the marriage creating the step-parent

relationship is ended, there is ongoing

liability for child support for all step-

children. Thus, unless you started an

action for divorce prior to 1999 when the

County finally stopped collecting for whatever

reason, you are out of luck and the County

was within its legal rights to collect

child support for your step child

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Answered on 6/06/01, 9:21 pm


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