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 Kansas, stepparents do not have the same custody rights as biological or adoptive parents. If a stepparent has not legally adopted their stepchild, they are typically not entitled to primary or shared custody after a divorce. However, Kansas courts may consider granting visitation rights to a stepparent based on several factors. These factors include 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 will evaluate whether maintaining a relationship with the stepparent is in the child's best interests and may award visitation accordingly. It's important to note that these matters are highly fact-specific and outcomes can vary depending on the individual circumstances of each case.