Opinion ID: 1393514
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Validity of Stepparent's Agreement to Support Stepchild[2]

Text: At common law, a stepparent-stepchild relationship imposes no obligations and confers no benefits on either the stepparent or the child. Burgess v. Burgess, 710 P.2d 417, 422 (Alaska 1985). While some states impose a duty on the stepparent to support the stepchild as long as the stepparent is married to that child's natural parent, [3] no such duty exists in Alaska. Id. at 422 n. 10. Thus, while married to Helen, Michael had no duty to support Tisha. Furthermore, even in those states where the stepparent does have a support obligation while married to the natural parent, such obligation terminates upon the divorce of the stepparent from the natural parent. See, e.g., Wash. Rev. Code § 26.16.205 (West 1986 and Supp. 1994); see generally David V. Sweet, Annotation, Stepparent's Postdivorce Duty to Support Stepchild, 44 A.L.R.4th 520, 531-39 (1986) (a stepparent has no postdivorce duty to support a stepchild). However, there are certain exceptions which may cause a court to impose a continuing support obligation on the stepparent. One exception occurs where the stepparent has made an express written or oral agreement to support the stepchild, where such agreement is enforceable under state law. See, e.g., Brown v. Brown, 287 Md. 273, 412 A.2d 396, 402 (1980). There are other possible exceptions based on equitable principles, such as promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel or equitable adoption. In this case, Michael explicitly agreed to support Tisha in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This agreement is enforceable under Alaska law, and therefore an exception to the general rule that no postdivorce support requirement exists here. While there is no Alaska case directly on point, we have held that parties are bound by settlement stipulations in the same manner as they would be bound by contract. Godfrey v. Hemenway, 617 P.2d 3, 8 (Alaska 1980); Kimball v. First Nat'l Bank, 455 P.2d 894, 898 (Alaska 1969). The courts look with favor on stipulations designed to simplify, shorten or settle litigation... . Godfrey, 617 P.2d at 8. Absent a showing of a cognizable contract defense, such as fraud, we hold parties to their voluntary bargains. [4] See also, Carter v. Brodrick, 644 P.2d 850, 851-2, 855 (Alaska 1982) (indicating that Alaska would enforce a stepparent's right to visitation where parental agreement, negotiated by the parties and incorporated into the divorce decree, clearly indicates stepparent has assumed in loco parentis status). [5] At least one other jurisdiction has explicitly recognized that a stepparent can create a contractual right to support a stepchild. In Brown v. Brown, 287 Md. 273, 412 A.2d 396 (1980), the Court of Appeals of Maryland held that a stepparent was liable for support for a stepchild under a separation agreement incorporated into the divorce decree, but because the stepfather had no underlying legal duty of support, he was unconstitutionally jailed for contempt in an attempt to enforce the agreement. The separation agreement explicitly provided that the stepfather would pay $30 per week support for the stepchild until majority. Id. 412 A.2d at 397. The stepfather fell behind in payments and was imprisoned for contempt of the court decree. Id. 412 A.2d at 397-98. The Maryland Constitution prohibited imprisonment for nonpayment of a debt. Id. 412 A.2d at 398 The court held that a decree providing for support of dependent children would not constitute debt for this purpose. Id. 412 A.2d at 401. However, because the legal duty to support did not ordinarily encompass stepchildren, the stepfather's obligation in this case was merely contractual, and it created nothing more than a debt for which the constitution afforded him immunity from imprisonment. Id. 412 A.2d at 402. The court noted that the trial court had a wide array of other enforcement tools available. Id. 412 A.2d at 404. The court thus recognized an enforceable contractual obligation based on an agreement by the stepparent similar to Michael's agreement. We agree that a stepparent can assume a contractual obligation to support his stepchild. Helen also asserts that Michael is liable for Tisha's support on promissory estoppel and equitable estoppel grounds. Because Michael was bound by an express written agreement to support Tisha, we need not address these arguments.