Q: If a parent can’t make it to every appointment, can they ask a step parent to go in their place?
A: Generally yes, however it depends on what your court order says. generally a fit parent can delegate care to others of his or her choosing.
A:
Since you're asking, I'm guessing that perhaps the relationship with the child's other parent is not particularly cordial. So my first recommendation is read your Orders to see if there is any restriction. Sometimes, there is a restriction in the Order, usually if there has been controversy over a parent's actual involvement with the child.
If the Order does not require you to be there, then generally, yes, you may send a step-parent in your place. You may need to put a release on file with the provider to interact with the step-parent enough for the step-parent to be able to be properly involved.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
