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- Title
HOW JUDGES DECIDE WHETHER SOCIAL PARENTS HAVE PARENTAL RIGHTS: A FIVE-FACTOR TYPOLOGY.
- Authors
Miller, Monica K.
- Abstract
Courts have issued conflicting rulings regarding the rights (e.g., custody, visitation) and responsibilities (e.g., child support) of non-biological gay parents. This analysis establishes a typology of five factors that most commonly influence judges' decisions. These factors include: interpretation of parenting statutes, legislative intent, parental intent, legal documents establishing parenthood, and the child's best interests. Despite these common themes, there is still much discrepancy among court rulings. Based on this analysis, there are steps parents can take to protect their legal rights and living arrangements. Finally, policy suggestions are offered for courts and lawmakers. These legal actors can take steps (e.g., clarifying statutes) that would provide certainty for families in case of parental separation or the biological parent's death.
- Subjects
GAY parents; CHILDREN'S rights; LEGAL judgments; FAMILIES; PARENT-child relationships; CHILD support
- Publication
Family Court Review, 2011, Vol 49, Issue 1, p72
- ISSN
1531-2445
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1744-1617.2010.01354.x