child
In family law, a child is the offspring, whether biological or adopted, of either one or both of the spouses (parents). In the event of divorce, the child is considered an ancillary issue to the litigation. Before the divorce can be finalized all issues regarding the child, such as custody, visitation and child support, must be decided. Although a person is the child of another at any age, with regards to family law, children considered ancillary to the action are younger than 18 years-old, or if over 18 years-old, are attending college.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
1) A person's offspring of any age, which can include biological offspring, unborn children, adopted children, stepchildren, foster children, and children born outside of marriage. 2) A person under an age specified by law, often 14 or 16. For example, state law may require a person to be over the age of 14 to make a valid will, or may define the crime of statutory rape as sex with a person under the age of 16. In this sense, a child can be distinguished from a minor, who is a person under the age of legal majority (18 in most states).
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:12 pm
