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 Vermont, stepparents do not have the same legal standing as biological or adoptive parents when it comes to custody and visitation rights. If a stepparent has not legally adopted the child, they are typically not entitled to primary or shared custody. However, Vermont courts may consider granting visitation rights to a stepparent after the dissolution of the marriage to the biological parent, especially if the stepparent has formed a significant bond with the child. The court will evaluate factors such as the duration and quality of the relationship between the stepparent and the child, the level of involvement the stepparent had in the child's life, and whether the stepparent has provided financial support. 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.