Can someone give me a serious answer?

Question

I have asked this question before and all I got was stupid responses...so, please, serious answers only.

As a stepparent, am I supposed to be signing documents for my stepchild (doctors forms, school papers, etc.)? I read somewhere that you can get in trouble if you are not a legal guardian. Just because she lives with my husband and I does not make me her legal guardian. Can anyone help???

Answer 1

you can have your husband give you a letter giving you the authority to do so.I don't really think it's necessay though.but you can give such rights to any caregiver so maybe it will make you feel better.I have never heard of anyone having trouble with this. i've beeen a steparent myself to 3 children.

Answer 2

Well I feel as if your husband shouldn't put that responsibility upon you. It is his job to sign papers and documents.  I haven't heard of anyone getting in trouble for that but if she is staying in the house with you as far as school items shouldn't be a problem.  Doctor forms, unless her father has a legal written document where he has given you permission to sign them....you shouldn't bother with it.  If you were to take the child to the doctor or hospital they wouldn't treat her without some kind of proof that it is okay for her to be in your care.

You need to put your husband in check...he is the one bull crapping in this situation.  Make sure you cover your butt.

Answer 3

sorry hun, unless you are her legal guardian there is nothing you can do. if you "adopt" her ( if that is possible) then you may have a chance of signing those forms you would like to sign.

hope i was of some help and hope everything works out.

ps- if child is over 16, in most countries, or more so over 18, then they can sign there own forms

Answer 4

You are able to sign some forms, such as

School Emergency Cards, Misc. Demographic information using biological parents information, however to actually ENROLL a child, it must be the bio parent.

when seeking medical attention, however, the biological parent must sign, such as consent for surgery, etc, however, if either biological parent is not available, such as incapacitated, you can sign.  However, if you are taking them to the doctor for something like a cold or a physical exam, you can sign.  Only when the child will be given injections or surgery does the bio parent have to sign. Same as for the dentist, if it is something simple like a cleaning, you can consent, anything major will have to be bio parents.

I'm in California, not sure what state you live in.

Answer 5

is the parent so lazy that they can't do it????

this is the responsibility of the parent.... not the step parent!!!

Answer 6

If the father talks to these people and designates you as someone authorized to sign these different forms and documents then there is no problem with it ,,,, But the father first has to tell them of this situation and new status ,,,,    //

Answer 7

i think that may vary from State to State not sure. I don't know how much "trouble" you can get in. Is there anyway you can contact an attorney or even check on-line for the laws as far as Custody in that State go? I would say her Father would have to sign but I am in a similar situation and understand what you mean.

Answer 8

if you are married to the minor's parent you are legally the guardian!

Answer 9

your her step parent but she doesn't even live with you?  how the f does that work lol.  i wouldn't be signing anything if i was you

Answer 10

no it's fine. my stepdad signs stuff for me all the time. only if my mom, who's my biological mother, isn't available. but in your household it makes you their guardian especially if you're married to the kid's parent.

Answer 11

Actually, you are a legal guardian of the child, since you are married to a legal guardian of the child. In most states legal guardianship is created through 4 scenarios:

Related by lineal consanguinity to the ward;

A legally adopted child or adoptive parent of the ward

A spouse, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew of the ward, or someone elated by lineal consanguinity to any such person

The spouse of a person otherwise qualified above

Just as long as you're not a convicted felon, you're good to go! :)