Md. top court recognizes ‘de facto’ parents in landmark decision

July 7, 2016 Leave a comment

‘We are thrilled and very excited for our client and for same-sex couples throughout Maryland now that Maryland law recognizes the lived realities of their families,’ said Jer Welter, deputy director and managing attorney at FreeState Justice, the lawyer for a transgender man who successfully asked the Court of Appeals to recognize ‘de facto parenthood.’ (The Daily Record/Maximilian Franz)

Maryland’s top court holds that an adult so intimately connected to a child’s upbringing can be regarded as a “de facto parent” and entitled to visitation and a share of custody so long as the best interests of the child are served.

Tagged with: de facto parentage same-sex divorce same-sex marriage same-sex parents

Md. high court reconsiders ‘de facto’ parentage in same-sex divorce case

April 5, 2016 Leave a comment

Maryland’s top court heard arguments Tuesday on whether the former same-sex partner of a child’s mother has the parental right of custody and visitation because the decision to conceive the child was mutual and the couple married – but later divorced – after the child’s birth.

Tagged with: de facto parentage same-sex divorce same-sex marriage same-sex parents

Editorial Advisory Board: Bring de facto parenthood to Maryland

January 11, 2016 Leave a comment

It is time for the Maryland General Assembly to pass legislation granting parental rights to individuals who are not biological or adoptive parents of children but who are de facto parents. Under Maryland law today, there are only two categories ...

Tagged with: custody family law same-sex divorce same-sex marriage

Court of Appeals will review denial of visitation following same-sex divorce

December 22, 2015 Leave a comment

Michael Conover and his son, Jaxon. (Courtesy of Michael Conover)

Maryland’s top court has agreed to decide if the former same-sex partner of a child’s mother has the parental rights of custody and visitation because the decision to conceive the child was mutual and the couple married – but later divorced – after the child’s birth.

Tagged with: child custody parental rights same-sex divorce same-sex marriage

Court of Appeals asked to review denial of visitation following same-sex divorce

October 22, 2015 Leave a comment

Michael Conover and his son, Jaxon. In a petition to the Court of Appeals, Conover argues he is entitled to custody and paternal rights of the child, who was born to Conover’s same-sex girlfriend in 2010. ‘This court should recognize de facto parenthood as an independent legal status,’ the petition states. (Courtesy of Michael Conover)

The former same-sex partner of a child’s mother has asked Maryland’s top court to review lower-court decisions denying that person the parental rights of custody and visitation, though the decision to conceive the child was mutual and the couple married — but later divorced — after the child’s birth.