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child

child definition - legal

A person under the age of majority. See also age.
Under the common law, a person who is under 14 years of age.
The son or daughter of a person or an individual who is treated as such.

after-born child

A child born after a certain event, such as a child born after the execution of a will or the death of its testator parent.

biological child

A child born to his parents. Also called natural child.
A child genetically related to a specified parent. Also called genetic child and natural child. See also adoption.

delinquent child

A minor who intentionally and constantly engages in antisocial behavior.
A minor who does something that would be a crime if committed by an adult. Whether the child would be subject to the juvenile courtÂ’s jurisdiction would depend on whether the child is over the statutorily established age. See also juvenile delinquent.

foster child

A child cared for and raised by an adult, usually selected by a government agency, who is not his or her natural or adoptive parents.

illegitimate child

A child who was not conceived or born in lawful wedlock and who is not later legitimated. Also called bastard. See also paternity suit.

legitimate child

In common law, a child born or conceived in lawful wedlock.
Under most modern statutes, a child born or conceived in lawful wedlock or later legitimated by her parentsÂ’ subsequent marriage, her fatherÂ’s acknowledgement of paternity, or a judicial determination of paternity.

neglected child

A child whose parents or legal custodians fail to safeguard the childÂ’s emotional and physical health and general well-being.

posthumous child

Traditionally, a child born after his fatherÂ’s death. However, because it is now medically possible in some situations to keep a deceased pregnant woman on life-support machine until the birth of her child, the term can include a child born after his motherÂ’s death.