Hurt and confused

[BlueGray]

Hubby has no legal rights, or obligations of any kind, to Alt and Country. He wasn't even able to provide health insurance for them because they aren't his biological kids and he didn't adopt them (because their father wouldn't allow it). He was in the Navy in the 1990s and tried to access something through that to help pay for Alt's post-secondary trade school, but was told she isn't eligible to receive anything through him for the same reason, that he isn't the bio parent or legal guardian.

In my situation City Boy was three when I married my ex-husband. When my ex started receiving SSI benefits City Boy received benefits along with Country Girl and Youngest. When we divorced 17 years later visitation and health insurance where included in our divorce agreement for City Boy and our bio children Country Girl and Youngest.

Maybe it depends on the state and what the couple decides in their joint divorce paperwork.

 

[KC43]

What was the status between City Boy and your ex, though? Did he adopt City Boy, or become City Boy's legal guardian? Was he granted legal rights of any kind?

The reason Hubby couldn't provide anything for my kids is that he was granted NO legal rights whatsoever by any court, because their father wouldn't allow it. The kids just happen to live with him because he married me. Their father was the one who had to provide health insurance (which he didn't, because he became disabled so didn't have health insurance available that he could provide; he couldn't cover them under his government health coverage), the one whose SSDI filtered down to them, etc., because their father's the one who had the legal rights.

 

[vinsanity0]

Depends on the jurisdiction. In Canada:



And I agree with the idea behind it. You marry someone with kids, those kids to become emotionally dependent on you. Just packing up and walking away is a massively douchebag move, and I'm glad that our laws reflect this douchebaginess with financial burden.

But good point that it's not automatic everywhere.

That is interesting. I'm glad they allow some leeway though. I wouldn't want to bear the financial burden in a case where the natural father was not living up to his financial obligations.

 

[BlueGray]

What was the status between City Boy and your ex, though? Did he adopt City Boy, or become City Boy's legal guardian? Was he granted legal rights of any kind?

The reason Hubby couldn't provide anything for my kids is that he was granted NO legal rights whatsoever by any court, because their father wouldn't allow it. The kids just happen to live with him because he married me. Their father was the one who had to provide health insurance (which he didn't, because he became disabled so didn't have health insurance available that he could provide; he couldn't cover them under his government health coverage), the one whose SSDI filtered down to them, etc., because their father's the one who had the legal rights.

He did not adopt City Boy and has no "legal" rights to him. City Boy is now 23 and my ex and I have been legally divorced for four years. City Boy still has medical coverage through the ex's insurance and will until he is 26.