Cynthia M. v. Elton M.

The within proceeding comes before the court on a petition under article 4 of the Family Court Act. Petitioner seeks an order directing respondent to support her and three children of her former marriage, aged 14, 11 and 8 respectively. Respondent was aware of these three children at the time he married petitioner.

The liability of a stepfather for support of stepchildren is framed under section 445 of the Family Court Act. It is manifest, inasmuch as the liability for support of stepchildren is a collateral one, being as it were, an offshoot of the marriage itself, that once the marriage ends…