surrogate parent

surrogate parent definition - legal

n

One who stands in the place of a childÂ’s parent, but who is not that parent. Either by virtue of voluntary or court-appointed status, that person assumes all rights, duties and responsibilities of the childÂ’s parent.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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