My husband died and now his ex-wife doesn't want me involved in my stepchildren's lives anymore and I don't have any legal rights to kids I helped raise.
More people experience this than they realize.
Legal systems don't recognize the bonds stepparents form, leaving relationships vulnerable to others' decisions about worthiness and belonging.
“Where Are You with Blended Families & Stepparenting?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.