adoptive parent
One who legally adopts another without being their biological parent. Once adoption is final, the adoptive parent will attain all the parental rights and responsibilities with regard to the person being adopted.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A person who completes all the requirements to legally adopt a child who is not his or her biological child. Generally, any single or married adult whom the court determines to be a "fit parent" may adopt a child. Some states have special requirements, such as requiring the adoptive parent to be at least a specified number of years older than the child, and requiring the parent to have resided in the county for a minimum amount of time. An adoptive parent has all the responsibilities of a biological parent.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:10 pm
