Step Children & Maintenance

Hi all.

Here's the situation
Married Sub 6 years
2 step children 13 & 11
13 Year old not in contact with natural father at present (although has now asked to this week) - no maintenance being sought through my wife's choice
11 year old in contact with natural father and maintenance being paid.

I sought advice following the split in March this year. So far neither my wife nor I have started divorce proceedings (i am still hoping we can reconcile)

Received the summary from my solicitor who I sought advice with and it contains the following lines

"However although you do not acquire Parental Responsibility by becoming a Step-Parent nevertheless you would be responsible for the maintenance of that child so far as you were party to the marriage in relation to which that child is concerned"

Now don't get me wrong if my estranged wants to claim maintenance for my eldest step daughter I do not have an issue.

However I am confused by what my solicitors mean.

I know the CSA cannot persue me for maintenance.

So other than ensuring an equivalent standard of living assuming my wife continues with her path to divorce what could my solictors be referring to in terms of maintenance?

Thanks

The first port of call for child maintenance is the natural father. Although the CSA normally has jurisdiction the courts may order and enforce child maintenance for step children. This is because you were married and the children were brought up as children of the family. Whether it is likely depends upon the nature and duration of the relationship you had with your step children, in particular if you had assumed responsibility for maintaining them.

Thanks Fiona,

That clears it up a bit.

To be honest given the nature of my wife and her vocal reluctance to ever be reliant on me financially during our relationship I would be surprised if she did.

Also given her view that me keep seeing the girls isn't a good idea (although she's leaving it up to the girls) it wouldn't fit too well if she's hoping to cut off all contact in the future.

With our eldest now wanting to seek out her natural father that will also complicate it a bit for her too I would feel.

Well as I say I will leave it with her.

I do have a decent relationship with both my girls shown by them asking their Nanna to help them get fathers day cards for me.

My money did provide food and accomodation for them, but the CSA money for the youngest got their shoes, clothes, school trips etc at my wife's choice.

However as I said I am not worried if she later goes for maintenance for our eldest as I believe that would give me more right to demand access to see them (just my view)

Thanks