Step Father Release of Liability

It's CYA for all of you.

Just like a grandparent, neighbor, etc... Your STBXH has no legal rights to your son until custody papers are drawn.

- Med treatment
- Travel
- Insurance
- kidnapping (claims of)
- biodad

Are all potential HUGE problems unless you write out 2 forms. 1) your permission to seek and obtain medical treatment in your absence from x date to y date... And 2 a document saying you give your permission for son to be in STBXH care from x date to y date.

From working in healthcare, stating the relationship (stepfather Jon Smith) is helpful... But the DATES are even more helpful. States vary, but these notes are invalid without them, and are only good for 24 hours to 90 days in most places. (24 if you just write today's date /signed on)

Whenever I've left my son with my parents for longer than a weekend -or even a weekend if I'm distant or out of reach, hiking say- I always leave the same 2 notes. And this was BEFORE I filed for divorce. Now that courts are involved its even more important. And that relationship isnt in the process of severing.

Don't take it as an insult (the idea you might call the police and report custodial interference/kidnapping). You might NEVER do such a thing, but others would. And well meaning friends/family MIGHT STILL on their own thinking they're helping you out by keeping you out of it. (Ahem. Including your son, of he got really mad.).

It's just to protect what BOTH of you want. Which is the time with SS&SD

I would find out what would cover your STBX in case of emergency during this trip. We have taken the kids' friends on trips and require them to have a notarized statement to give us permission to travel with them, to have them treated in case of emergency, and with the parents' contact info and health insurance info. I would expect STBX to need no less. I'd talk to him about it and see what he might need to go forward with the trip.

It sounds like he wants you to sign some kind of "permission slip" for your son's visit. It makes sense if you think about it. While he's legally still your husband, you have filed for a divorce and he is not legally "anything" to your son.

Call your lawyer. I am sure that he/she will know what you need to do!

Call the man and ask him what he's talking about. It may be something his attorney told him to ask you for. Your attorney could fax a simple statement to his attorney in the morning and it all be settled by noon.

Ask him. And remind him that your son is the innocent party in this divorce and that you would still like them to have a good relationship, even tho he isn't the bio dad. I wouldn't be trying to *guess* what he's talking about, find out for sure so you can address it asap. Good luck!

I would guess he wants something so that he can get medical treatment for your so in an emergency. Sounds like a good idea ...

Not a clue. Contact your attorney - maybe he knows of some sort of waiver or release that's used in your state in these types of cases.