Stepfamily

Status: This was the departmental standard from September 19, 2011 to May 25, 2021.

Definition

Stepfamily refers to couple families with children that contain at least one biological or adopted child of only one married spouse or common-law partner whose birth or adoption preceded the current relationship. The family can contain such children of each married spouse or common-law partner. The family can also contain biological or adopted children from the current relationship. If the current married spouse or common-law partner has adopted the child(ren) of the other married spouse or common-law partner then it is no longer a stepfamily.

Relation to previous version

• Stepfamily May 26, 2021 to current

  This is the current standard.

• Stepfamily September 19, 2011 to May 25, 2021

  This was the departmental standard from September 19, 2011 to May 25, 2021.