Third-Party Custody
Court-ordered custody awarded to a non-parent such as a grandparent when parents are unfit or unable to care for children.
Example
The grandparents were granted third-party custody due to both parents' substance abuse.
Canadian Equivalent
In Canada, this is referred to as Contact Order (for non-parents such as grandparents under the Divorce Act).
Related Terms
best-interests-of-the-childguardian-ad-litemcustody-evaluationcontact-order