Robinson v. Ford-Robinson

Jim Gunter, Justice.

This appeal raises the issue of whether, in a divorce proceeding, a circuit court may award visitation to a stepparent when the natural parent objects. We hold that a circuit court may award visitation to a stepparent standing in loco parentis over the natural parent’s objection, and we affirm the circuit court’s decision.

Gerald Robinson and Karen Ford-Robinson began living together in August 1997, married on January 28, 2000, separated on May 7, 2003, and divorced on November 4, 2003. During that time, Gerald had sole custody of his son, Austin, who was less than two…