I would if the boyfriend is not in the custody order. Technically with them not being married, he has no legal right to the children. Also, that could be grounds for concern of her up and taking the children to Utah.
I would if the boyfriend is not in the custody order. Technically with them not being married, he has no legal right to the children. Also, that could be grounds for concern of her up and taking the children to Utah.
Maybe it depends on the state, because step-parents do have rights, when there is legal marriage involved.
I think you are just around to question what anybody has to say. Please, show me your law degree from each state since you seem to know it all.
Step parents can have de facto RESPONSIBILITIES when bestowed by a legal parent. They remain, however, legal strangers to step children as far as RIGHTS to those children, until or unless a court says otherwise (and typically that "otherwise" takes the form of a legal adoption).
None of those states gives rights to a child to a legal stranger on the sole basis of that stranger's marriage to a lawful parent.
If it did, there would be no reason for adoption law... if you wanted a kid, you would just marry someone that had one.
You are incorrect.
This discussion matters not... because that isn't even the case here.
OP, I would go get my kids.