De Facto Parentage and the Modern Family

Abstract

Today, many children — both marital and nonmarital — are parented by people who are not connected to them through marriage or biology. Fortunately, the majority of states protect these functional parent-child relationships that are so important to so many children. Some states protect these relationships under equitable doctrines. Increasing, functional parents are being recognized as legal parents. Written for the Family Advocate, this short piece provides an overview of these legal developments.

Keywords: parentage, parent, child, equitable, nonbiological, nonmarital, Obergefell, lesbian, gay, functional