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 Arizona, 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, Arizona law does not typically grant them primary or shared custody unless they have legally adopted the child. However, stepparents may be awarded visitation rights under certain circumstances. The court will consider factors such as 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 child's best interests are always the paramount concern in these decisions. It's important to note that these matters are highly fact-specific, and outcomes can vary depending on the individual circumstances of each case.