Sarah Hughes, partner at Anthony Gold, points out that step-parents have no legal standing for the child and there has been little change to the law and few reported cases in recent years. She presents an overview of the legal situation, including financial provision, effect of marriage and inheritance, and considers the impact of some recent changes.
‘Despite popular belief, a step-parent does not automatically acquire parental responsibility upon their marriage to or civil partnership with the child’s natural parent, or by assuming day to day responsibility for the child,’ Hughes says.
She concludes: ‘With almost two million children living in step-parent families it seems time for a review of the law to recognise the important role a step-parent can play in a child’s life.’
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