The Role of the Psychological Parent in the Dissolution of the Homosexual Relationship

Abstract

This note analyzes the definition of the “psychological parent” in its application to the dissolved homosexual relationship. In urging state courts to render custodial decisions not solely on the basis of the parent's biological ties to the child, but also on the presence of a psychological relationship between the non-biological parent and the child in question, this note reviews conflicting state court decisions that discussed the doctrine of the “psychological parent” and determined whether a non-biological parent was fit to receive custody of his or her child once dissolution of the couple's relationship had occurred.

United States state courts frequently rely upon the “best interests of the childl” standard when making custodial decisions. It is this author's position that the application of the “psychological parent” doctrine is what is in the “best interest of the child” when awarding custody to non-legal parents, and as such should be at the forefront of state court decisions before a determination of child custody is made.