Paying alimony after applying for custody?

Questioner

I have been living with my girlfriend and her 15 year old stepdaughter for 3 years. The real father is in the picture but has never paid child support because he was homeless. In the meantime he is getting his life back on track and he would also like to apply for custody. Now I'm afraid that's a start and that stepdaughter will eventually want to live with him, and that we will have to pay a lot of alimony. We don't want that. What is the best thing to do? Applying for custody is very simple with an online form, but are we shooting ourselves in the foot in the long run?

Lawyer

It is understandable that you are concerned about possible financial implications. However, there are several aspects to consider here. Firstly, the request for authority by the biological father does not directly affect maintenance obligations. In the Netherlands, both parents who have parental authority are obliged to contribute to the costs of care and upbringing of their child until they are 21 years old. This also applies when the parents are divorced. Applying for authority can indeed be done easily online with a C-form via the court. As a stepparent, you are not obliged to pay alimony in the current situation. However, if you and your partner apply for parental authority for her daughter, you may become liable for maintenance. If your stepchild lives with you and your partner and you are married or have a registered partnership, then as a stepparent you have a so-called stepparent obligation. If the child were to live with the biological father, both parents would still be required to provide maintenance. In this case, the maintenance contribution would have to be recalculated and it is possible that you, as a stepparent, would also have to make a contribution. In order to make the right choice in your specific situation, it is wise to seek the advice of a lawyer or attorney. For example, they can help you map out the possible consequences of different scenarios and advise you on the best steps to take. ' ---------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer