Article: Md. Court of Appeals rejects 'de facto' parent status

In a decision gay-rights advocates called a setback for same-sex parents, Maryland's highest court held Monday that two lower courts were wrong to allow a woman visitation rights with her former romantic partner's daughter.

In a 6-1 decision, the Court of Appeals held that Maryland does not recognize the concept of de facto parenthood, which would allow a non-legal parent to win visitation with a child over a parent's objection simply by proving that it would be in the child's best interest.

Someone who performs parental functions for a child with the consent of the child's parent is considered a third party and can only win access by showing that the legal parent is unfit or that there are ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!