When a parent remarries and the parent’s minor child from the prior marriage forms a significant bond with their new stepparent, the issue of stepparent custody and visitation rights may arise if the marriage with the stepparent also dissolves. Unless the stepparent has legally adopted the child (and is thus no longer a stepparent), courts don’t usually grant a stepparent primary or shared custody of a minor child. But the court may award a stepparent limited visitation rights, depending on the amount of time the stepparent spent with the child, the extent of the stepparent’s participation in the child’s upbringing, and whether the stepparent provided financial support for the child.

In Alabama, stepparents do not have the same legal standing as biological or adoptive parents when it comes to custody and visitation rights. While a stepparent may develop a close bond with their stepchild, Alabama law does not typically grant them primary or shared custody unless they have legally adopted the child. However, Alabama courts may consider granting visitation rights to a stepparent after a divorce if it is in the best interest of the child. Factors that the court may consider include the length and quality of the relationship between the stepparent and the child, the stepparent's involvement in the child's life, and any financial support provided by the stepparent. The court's primary concern is always the welfare and best interests of the child, and any decision regarding visitation will reflect that principle.