Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Re: parental resposibilty

A stepparent does not have the legal status of a natural or adoptive parent with respect to the latter's rights which may attach to such matters as custody or visitation, right to make major life affecting decisions for the child(ren) involving such matters as medical treatment, education, etc.

The natural or adoptive parent's rights are generally recognized in the law with respect to the above kinds of issues as superior to those of a stepparent.

Va. Code Secs. 20-124.1 and 20-124.2 define and recognize a stepparent as "a person with a legitimate interest" with respect to custody or visitation issues but one whose overall rights with respect to subject children are clearly

inferior to the child(ren)'s parent(s).