Is a stepchild considered a related party?

[szanella]

This is in regards to selling a property to my stepson...

[MinhT · Accepted solution]

No, your stepson is not a related party.

This is the IRS definition of related parties:

Related parties for the purposes of Code Sec. 1031(f) are defined by Code Secs. 267(b) or 707(b), and include:

Family members.

Family members are related parties. The definition of family members is limited to siblings, spouses, ancestors and lineal descendants. Thus, it does not include aunts and uncles, or nephews and nieces. It also does not include in-laws or stepparents. Therefore, a mother would not be a related party to her son-in-law or stepson.

Importantly, family members also do not include domestic partners.

[nmp22]

While your stepson is not a related party to you, he is a related party to your wife.  So my question is, who owns the property? If it's just you then there's no problem.  If it's you and your wife then it would appear that he is a related party.