No De Facto Parenthood In Maryland

The Maryland Court of Appeals held today that Maryland law does not recognize the concept of de facto parenthood. One member of a committed, long-term same-sex relationship had adopted a child from India. After six years of raising the child together, the couple split and the non-adopting partner sought visitation. The court majority ruled that the non-custodial partner did not have parental status and remanded for a determination of whether “exceptional circumstances” warranted the grant of visitation rights. A dissent would find that parental rights were established under these circumstances. (Mike Frisch)