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 Hawaii, stepparents do not have the same rights as biological or adoptive parents when it comes to custody and visitation of a minor child. If a stepparent has not legally adopted the child, they are typically not entitled to primary or shared custody. However, Hawaii courts may consider granting visitation rights to a stepparent under certain circumstances. The court will evaluate factors such as the length and quality of the relationship between the stepparent and the child, the degree to which the stepparent has been involved in the child's life and upbringing, and whether the stepparent has provided financial support. The child's best interests are always the paramount concern in these decisions. The court's goal is to ensure that the child's welfare is maintained, and if continuing the relationship with the stepparent is deemed beneficial for the child, the court may award visitation rights accordingly.