How to become a guardian of step-child?
Discussion
I'm step-dad to my partner's 13 yr old daughter and was wondering how I become a legal guardian? Her Dad comes across as a bit of a dick and regularly upsets her by not calling, not replying to her calls/texts and cancelling pre arranged days out with her.
I want to show her how much I care for her and to increase the "proper" family unit feeling for her and despite not being her biological father, I want to fill that role legally. Her Mum and I aren't married (yet) so what's the best way to go about it? I'm not looking to strike him off the register as such as he's still her Dad.
TIA
Nathan
I want to show her how much I care for her and to increase the "proper" family unit feeling for her and despite not being her biological father, I want to fill that role legally. Her Mum and I aren't married (yet) so what's the best way to go about it? I'm not looking to strike him off the register as such as he's still her Dad.
TIA
Nathan
MissChief said:
I did google it but wasn't sure if those links referred to my situation or a foster type arrangement with talk of social services etc. Thanks for all your comments, it does seem to be a bit of a mine field.
The step-daughter is happy for me to get PR or be a guardian and yes she does buy me Fathers Day goodies, her "Dad" is listed in her phone as his name rather than Dad and I just want to complete the family feeling for her which I think I do except for in the eyes of the law. In no way do I want to try and step on his toes but tbh he doesn't really have much to do with her anyway as he has a family with his current partner so she feels very much left out as she doesn't see her step brothers and sisters either.
I'll let you know how I get on.
The step-daughter is happy for me to get PR or be a guardian and yes she does buy me Fathers Day goodies, her "Dad" is listed in her phone as his name rather than Dad and I just want to complete the family feeling for her which I think I do except for in the eyes of the law. In no way do I want to try and step on his toes but tbh he doesn't really have much to do with her anyway as he has a family with his current partner so she feels very much left out as she doesn't see her step brothers and sisters either.
I'll let you know how I get on.
SickFish said:
Good luck bud 
Admittedly I gave my Step Dad quite a bit of a hard time initially..... Sounds like your Daughter (I hate the term "step" XXX)
If she treats you like a Father, you treat her like a Daughter.... do you think that there is actually something missing by you not being "legally" classed as a parent, disregarding the fact you fulfil that role entirely anyway?
Genuine question here, in all honesty, would you be doing this for you, or, for her? Do you feel that something is missing that becoming a legal guardian would fix? Has your Daughter hinted that there is something missing?
Thanks. She is worried that if my partner and I have a little'un that they will have a "proper" Dad and she wont, she looks at friends parents that are together and wants that "family unit" feeling herself, she has suggested changing her surname to mine if we do have a baby.Admittedly I gave my Step Dad quite a bit of a hard time initially..... Sounds like your Daughter (I hate the term "step" XXX)
If she treats you like a Father, you treat her like a Daughter.... do you think that there is actually something missing by you not being "legally" classed as a parent, disregarding the fact you fulfil that role entirely anyway?
Genuine question here, in all honesty, would you be doing this for you, or, for her? Do you feel that something is missing that becoming a legal guardian would fix? Has your Daughter hinted that there is something missing?
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