Step parents rights after divorce.

If a step parent and biological parent separate or divorce, the step parent has no automatic right to continue seeing the child (unless they have parental responsibility), in which case they can apply for a Child Arrangements Order to see the child.

If they do not already have parental responsibility, they can obtain it either through a Parental Responsibility Agreement with the consent of the child’s birth parents, or by applying to the Court for a Parental Responsibility Order.

Once obtained, the step parent will share parental responsibility with the child’s birth parents, and have the same rights in respect of the child.