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 Indiana, stepparents do not have the same legal standing as biological or adoptive parents when it comes to custody and visitation rights. However, under certain circumstances, Indiana courts may consider granting visitation rights to a stepparent if it is in the best interest of the child. When a stepparent has not legally adopted the child, they are generally not entitled to primary or shared custody. Yet, if the stepparent has formed a significant bond with the child and has been involved in the child's life, including providing care and financial support, the court may award visitation rights. The court will evaluate factors such as the length and quality of the relationship between the stepparent and the child, the child's needs, and the impact on the child's welfare. The primary consideration is always the best interest of the child, and any visitation rights granted to a stepparent must align with that principle.