Ask Me Help Desk - Stepmother is representing herself as the mother

My kids step mom has represented herself as being there mom on Medical forms, school documents, etc. I've got copies of the medical papers where she signed as there mother and was able to get my son treated. What can be done?
I have full custody and my ex only has the children every other weekend.

I would think you should be glad that she is having the child treated, would you rather, the child not be treated when needed?

I am sorry how petty can you get, it sounds like a hated divorce and you are still using the children as a tool to fight over.

I would say what can be done is to get over it, and be glad your ex is married to someone who is also loving and caring for the children.

Legally, no without a POA form from the father ( who does have the right to sign for school and medical treatments) she does not have the right to sign for it.

This step mother has screamed in court rooms and school functions that there are "HER" kids. She took him to the doctor because she forgot to put sun screen on him and took him out side for the day. He then got a severe burn. He was coming back to my care that day. I did take him to my doctor, who was wanting to contact social services. If her act's were out of care, she would sign as a step parent. Or just left it for me to take them that day, as I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by j123b

This step mother has screamed in court rooms and school functions that there are "HER" kids. She took him to the doctor because she forgot to put sun screen on him and took him out side for the day. He then got a severe burn. He was coming back to my care that day. I did take him to my doctor, who was wanting to contact social services. If her act's were out of care, she would sign as a step parent. Or just left it for me to take them that day, as I did.

Your Doctor by law has to contact Social Services if he has a severe injury - it's not a matter of what he does or doesn't want to do. Did you make the call?

Talk to your X husband if you can't deal with the stepmother.

In many Districts if this is the problem you have described you can keep her out of school conferences but you can't ban her from school functions.

They're your kids - let her say whatever she wants. If it's as you say it is eventually your kids will get tired of the drama. Your X has a legal right to seek medical care for your children; he must have appointed her to act in his place when he's not available.

Of course, I don't think it's possible for too many people to love and care for a child.

If it's as big a problem as you say, go to Family Court and see what they can/will do - although I don't think they will do much.

What position does your husband take in all this as I see nothing wrong here. You may be miffed at this woman, but unless she has done something really bad, that she can be reported for, why make waves? Unless there is more here than written, the adults should be working together.

Hmm this is an interesting conundrum. I wonder what the law is on this. I would think that a stepmother would be considered the effective guardian in cases involving emergencies. I don't recall ever seeing a form that specified step parent as a relationship. I also think she may be just trying cement the relationship between her and her husband's kids (not wanting to be the evil stepmother).

Of course there is probably more here then we are seeing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Hmm this is an interesting conundrum. I wonder what the law is on this. I would think that a stepmother would be considered the effective guardian in cases involving emergencies. I don't recall ever seeing a form that specified step parent as a relationship. I also think she may be just trying cement the realtionship between her and her husband's kids (not wanting to be the evil stepmother).

Of course there is probably more here then we are seeing.

Attorneys prepare consents to be signed by the natural parent which allow the step parent to act in their place in the event of medical necessity, etc. all the time - they are signed, notarized and copies filed, for example, with the family Doctor, the school, after school activities -

Without a consent I'm not really sure what is allowed - I would think the "step" would still take the child for medical treatment but not be able to authorize the treatment. Of course, with cell phones and the like the treating facility could probably reach the natural parent most of the time.

Now that I think about it - my parents had consents for the grandchildren because the grandchildren spent time with them. Of course, that's not a step situation.