Can I Legally Keep My Ex's New Partner Away From My Kids? (Stepparent Rights)

Can you legally keep your ex's new partner away from your kids? Rockford, Illinois family law attorney Zach Townsend and Beth Wagner Townsend from Pro Legal Care LLC answer your most-asked stepparent questions: stepparent rights, right of first refusal, whether a new spouse's income counts for child support, and whether stepparents get visitation after divorce. In this episode of Just One Quick Question, we break down how Illinois family courts actually treat stepparents, from your ex's new boyfriend or girlfriend to a stepmom or stepdad who's been in your child's life for years. Whether you're a parent worried about your ex's new spouse or a stepparent wondering where you stand, this covers what judges look at and what you can realistically do. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Stepparent questions intro 0:18 Can I keep my ex's new partner away from my kids? 1:59 Can a parenting plan delay introducing a new partner? 6:12 Can a stepparent make my child call them Mom or Dad? 10:25 What if the stepparent is doing my ex's parenting time? 12:04 Does right of first refusal apply to stepparents? 15:18 Should you include right of first refusal in a parenting plan? 18:24 Can my ex include the stepparent in all our communication? 21:43 Can a stepparent use Our Family Wizard or Talking Parents? 23:55 What if the stepparent is texting me from my ex's phone? 28:10 Can I remove a stepparent from the school pickup list? 31:05 Can my new spouse pick up my child for my parenting time? 33:34 Can a stepparent sign school or medical forms? 36:42 Does my child have to go to therapy with a stepparent? 38:17 Can my child be on the stepparent's health insurance? 43:23 Does the court consider a stepparent's schedule or stepsiblings? 47:30 Can a stepparent go to school events like Donuts with Mom? 53:18 Does a new spouse's income count for child support? 54:06 What if my ex stops working because the new spouse supports them? 56:37 Does having another child lower child support? 57:26 How can a stepparent get legal authority or adopt? 59:43 Do stepparents have visitation rights after divorce? 1:01:30 Final advice for stepparents and co-parents ABOUT PRO LEGAL CARE LLC Pro Legal Care LLC is a family law and divorce firm in Rockford, Illinois, serving counties in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. 📍 OUR SERVICE AREA NORTHERN ILLINOIS • Winnebago County Illinois •Boone County Illinois •Stephenson County Illinois •Ogle County Illinois •Lee County Illinois •Jo Daviess County Illinois •Carroll County Illinois 📍 OUR SERVICE AREA SOUTHERN WISCONSIN •Rock County Wisconsin •Green County Wisconsin We handle divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, and stepparent issues. 📞 SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION Website: https://prolegalcare.com/attorney-fre... Call: (815) 200-8802 Subscribe for more Just One Quick Question episodes on Illinois divorce and family law.    / @prolegalcare   ⚠️ DISCLAIMER Just One Quick Question does not contain legal advice. The resources discussed and information provided on Just One Quick Question are not intended as and shall not be construed as or understood to be legal advice and should not be relied upon for any legal purpose. Every case is unique and fact-specific. Attorney Zach Townsend and Pro Legal Care LLC do not represent you unless and until you have executed an Engagement Agreement in writing and paid a retainer fee. #Stepparent #IllinoisFamilyLaw #CoParenting