The Status of Step-Parent in Iranian and French Law

Nowadays, with the increase of divorce and consequently remarriage, the legal status of step-parent becomes a core subject in family law debates, especially in western societies. By using library resources and through a comparative approach, this paper studies different ways of transferring of parental powers in general, and review the arguments for and against the legal recognition of step-parent. We then study different provisions that allow the transfer of authority and power to step-parent over the child’s person and property in French and Iranian law during the marriage of legal parent and step-parent. Finally, we provide suggestions to improve Iranian law. This paper argues for the necessity of adding provisions in Iranian law for the voluntary transfer of parental powers to step-parent which could be under the supervision of the judge and in the child’s welfare, especially in the case where step-parent is replaced, deceased, absent or non-qualified.