OPINION
Appellant JoEllen C. Simmons, now known as JoEllen C. Vasicheck, appeals the trial court’s order granting her former husband, respondent Andrew W. Simmons, structured visitation with her son from a previous relationship. Although the parties’ stipulation granting Simmons reasоnable visitation with the child was incorporated into the judgment, Vasicheck argues that the trial court erred in ordering visitation over her objection. We disagree and affirm.
FACTS
The' parties were married on May 22, 1989. Vasicheck had a five-year-old son, M.V., at the time of the marriage. M.V.’s biological father has had no contact with him and has surrendered his parental rights. There is one child of the parties’ marriage, a son, A.S., born September 14, 1989.
M.V. lived with the parties until they separated in Januаry 1991. During the separation Simmons had contact with both children on a regular basis. In his dissolution petition, Simmons sought visitation with M.V., indicating that he and M.V. had a father-son relationship.
On February 22, 1991, the parties signed a stipulation settling all matters at issue between them. Thе parties were represented by separate counsel. They agreed to joint physical and legal custody of their son, A.S. They also agreed that Simmons was “entitled to the right of reasonable visitation” with M.V. The stipulation included a notiсe provision pertaining to the parties’ rights to have access to the minor child’s records, to attend school conferences, to be informed of accident or serious illness, and to reasonable telephone contact. Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 3(b) (1990). A judgment incorporating the stipulation was entered on March 22, 1991.
*790 After the judgment was entered, Vasi-check refused to allow Simmons any visitation with M.V. In September 1991, Simmons moved for structured visitation rights and other relief. In her response, Vasi-check indicated that although she originally had agreed to visitation between Simmons and M.V. because she “felt it would be good” for M.V., as it turned out, M.V. did not want to visit Simmons and his behavior had improved since his contact with Simmons ceased. Vasicheck movеd for termination of Simmons’ right to visit M.V.
After a hearing where both parties testified, the trial court granted Simmons’ motion, finding that Simmons was in loco par-entis with M.V. throughout the 18-month period they lived together, that Simmons and M.V. had established a close relationship, аnd that regular visitation with Simmons was in M.V.’s best interests. The court granted Simmons visitation with M.V. every other weekend and on certain holidays, coinciding with the times when Simmons has physical custody of A.S. The trial court’s order further provided that Simmons has the rights specified in sеction 518.17, subdivision 3(b) with regard to both children. Finally, the court awarded Simmons $250 in attorney fees. This appeal followed.
ISSUES
1. Did the trial court err in enforcing the provision of the stipulated judgment granting Simmons the right to visitation with his former stepson?
2. Did the trial court havе authority to award Simmons the rights specified in section 518.17, subdivision 3(b) with regard to his former stepson?
3. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in awarding attorney fees to Simmons?
ANALYSIS
1. Stepparent Visitation
Theauthority of the trial court to award and enforce visitation rights to a former steрparent involves questions of law. This court is not bound by the trial court’s ultimate legal conclusions.
See Durfee v. Rod Baxter Imports, Inc.,
Vasicheck argues that Simmons’ right, if any, to seek visitation with M.V. is limited to Minn.Stat. § 257.022 (1990). This statute is entitled “Rights of Visitation to Unmarried Persons.” Subdivision 2b of the statute provides:
When child has resided with other person. If an unmarriеd minor has resided in a household with a person, other than a foster parent, for two years or more and no longer resides with the person, the person may petition the district court for an order granting the person reasonable visitation rights to the child during the child’s minority. The court shall grant the petition if its finds that:
(1) visitation rights would be in the best interests of the child;
(2) the petitioner and child had established emotional ties creating a parent and child relationship; and
(3) visitation rights would not interferе with the relationship between the custodial parent and the child.
The court shall consider the reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express a preference.
(Emphasis added).
Since Simmons and M.V. resided together in the same house for only 18 months, the two-year requirement under section 257.022, subdivision 2b is not met. Vasi-check contends that because Simmons is ineligible for visitation under the statute, the trial court lacked authority to grаnt visitation rights in the judgment. We disagree for two reasons: (1) section 257.022, subdivision 2b does not preclude a former stepparent who was in loco parentis to the child from asserting a common-law right to visitation, and (2) Vasicheck stipulated to the visitation.
Although the question of whether a former stepparent may assert a common-law right to visitation is one of first impression in Minnesota, our supreme court has recognized the common-law doctrine of in loco parentis.
See London Guar. & Accident
*791
Co. v. Smith,
Other jurisdictions have held that a former stepparent who was in loco parentis to the child during the marriage may be entitled to visitation over the natural parent’s objection, if the trial court determines that visitation is in the child’s best interest.
See, e.g., Hickenbottom v. Hickenbottom,
In view of our supreme court’s recognition of the in loco parentis doctrine, we hold that a former stepparent who was in loco parentis with the former stepchild may be entitled to visitation under the common law. Because section 257.022 does not contain any clause specifically repealing, restricting, or abridging a non-parent’s common-law visitation rights, we construe the statute to extend and supplement the common-law rule.
1
Agassiz & Odessa Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Magnusson,
“Whether a stepparent stands in loco parentis to a minor child is primarily a question of intent to be determined in light of the circumstances * * * [0f] each case.”
London Guar. & Accident Co.,
Moreover, the parties’ stipulation granting Simmons visitation with M.V., approved by the trial court and incorporated into the judgment, creаted an enforceable right. “The parties to a dissolution * * * may impose obligations beyond the authority of the family court.”
Angelos v. Angelos,
The trial court has broad discretion to determine the child’s best interests in the area of visitation.
Rutten v. Rutten,
We conclude that Simmons has an enforceable right to visitation with M.V. The trial court did not abuse its broad discretion in finding that visitation between Simmons and M.V. is in M.V.’s best interests, and in ordering structured visitation.
2. Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 3(b) Rights
By statute, “every custody order” must include a notice to the parties specifying that each party has a right of access to the child’s records, to attend school conferences, to be notified of a child’s accident or illness, and to reasonable access and telephone contact with the child. Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 3(b). In this case, we agree with Vasicheck that the trial court lacked authority to award Simmons these rights with rеspect to his former stepson.
The limited nature of Simmons’ right to visitation with M.V. does not include access to M.V.’s confidential records or the other rights specified in section 518.17, subd. 3(b). These rights clearly apply only to the child’s parents or a nonparent custodian. Moreover, although the section 518.17, subdivision 3(b) notice in the judgment refers to “the minor children,” the parties’ stipulation reflects that the notice pertains to the “minor child.” Vasicheck did not confer the section 518.17, subdivision 3(b) rights concerning M.V. upon Simmons by stipulation.
Because Simmons has only the right to visitation with M.V. and Vasicheck did not agree to any additional rights, the portion of the trial court’s order granting Simmons the section 518.17, subdivision 3(b) rights with respect to M.V. must be vacated.
3. Attorney Fees
Vasicheсk challenges the trial court’s award of $250 attorney fees to Simmons. The trial court has broad discretion in the award of attorney fees and an award will not be disturbed unless there is a clear abuse of discretion.
Kroening v. Kroening,
The trial court did not make sрecific findings in support of the award on the basis of either financial need or the impact that Vasicheck’s behavior may have had on the cost of litigation. See Minn.Stat. § 518.14 (1990). However, the original judgment incorporated the parties’ stipulation that the nonmoving party agreed to pay attorney fees and costs associated with a successful motion to enforce any part of the agreement. In view of the parties’ stipulation, and the trial court’s broad discretiоn, we do not find the modest award of fees to be an abuse of discretion.
Simmons requests an award of attorney fees on appeal. The parties’ stipulation does not control this court’s discretion to award fees. We do not find thаt an award of attorney fees on appeal is warranted.
DECISION
In view of Simmons’ in loco parentis relationship to his former stepson during the marriage and the incorporation into the judgment of the parties’ stipulation granting visitation rights, Simmons hаs an enforceable right to visitation, even though he is ineligible to petition for visitation under Minn.Stat. § 257.022, subd. 2b. The trial court acted within its broad discretion *793 in finding that Simmons’ visitation with M.V. was in M.V.’s best interest and in granting structured visitation. The trial court lacked authority, however, to award Simmons the rights under section 518.17, subdivision 3(b) with respect to his former stepson, and that portion of the trial court’s order is vacated. The trial court’s award of attorney fees to Simmons was not an abuse of discretion. Simmons’ request for attorney fees on appeal is denied.
Affirmed as modified.
Notes
. 1989 Minn.Laws ch. 248, § 1, is codified at Minn.Stat. § 257.022, subd. 2b (1990). The sparse legislative history indicates that the sponsors of the original bill were unaware that an in loco parentis former stepparent has standing to seek visitation under thе common law. See April 5, 1989 hearing of the Civil Law Division of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate File #573 (statement of Sen. Allan Spear). If the legislature desires that section 257.022 should preempt any common-law visitation rights, the statute must be amended to so indicate.