In a landmark decision on March 20, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court expanded the legal definition of parentage, creating important new protections for children and caregivers across the state. The ruling, which centered around the case Glover v. Junior, 9 EAP 2024 (Pa. 2025), recognizes that being a parent isn’t just about biology, marriage, or legal adoption – it can also be about intent, involvement, and the bonds built through caregiving (the Court called this a fifth pathway, alongside biology, adoption, equity, and contract).
As Louis Wm. Martini, Jr., Esq., a Delaware County family law attorney, knows from decades of experience, families today come in all forms – and sometimes, the law takes time to catch up. This recent decision is especially meaningful for non-biological parents, unmarried partners, LGBTQ+ families, and others raising children in non-traditional households. Whether you're co-parenting without a formal agreement or helping raise a child you didn’t legally adopt, this ruling could impact your rights – and your responsibilities.
So, what does this mean for Pennsylvania families?
What Was the Ruling About?
The case involved a married spouse who actively co-parented a child conceived through assisted reproduction, yet lacked any biological or adoptive tie to the child. Despite not securing formal parental status, the spouse was deeply involved from day one – helping plan the child’s birth and consistently fulfilling a parental role thereafter.
The court determined that in certain circumstances, a person can be considered a legal parent based on their conduct and commitment to the child – not just on formal legal or biological ties. In other words, parenthood can now be established through intent and consistent caregiving, especially when it reflects a shared agreement to raise a child.
Why This Decision Matters
This ruling helps align the law with the reality of how many families live and parent today. Increasingly, children are being raised in homes where love and responsibility – not legal paperwork – define family roles.
This decision:
- Recognizes the importance of psychological parenting – the emotional and day-to-day bond between a child and caregiver.
- Expands legal standing in custody and visitation cases to those who have acted as a parent, even without formal legal recognition.
- Provides stability for children who rely on more than one parental figure for emotional and financial support.
Importantly, while this ruling broadens who may qualify for parental recognition, it does not replace the need for formal steps like adoption or court orders in many situations. Legal action remains essential for individuals seeking long-term clarity and legal protection, especially in contested cases.
Who Could This Affect?
You may now have legal standing as a parent if you’ve:
- Helped plan and raise a child with a partner, even without getting married.
- Acted as a parent in a same-sex relationship where only one partner is the biological or adoptive parent.
- Stepped in as a caregiver and parental figure for a child over an extended period of time.
- Shared day-to-day parenting responsibilities from the child’s earliest stages.
If you’ve been an active, consistent part of a child’s life, this ruling may strengthen your ability to seek custody or visitation – even if you aren’t a biological or adoptive parent.
How This Impacts Custody and Visitation in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, standing – the legal right to ask the court for custody – has traditionally been limited to parents, legal guardians, or people with a close connection to the child (in loco parentis), often but not always with the legal parents’ consent.
Now, with this expanded definition of parentage, courts can evaluate:
- Whether the non-biological parent intended to raise the child.
- The extent to which that person acted as a parent.
- The nature of their relationship with the child.
- How recognizing that person as a legal parent would serve the child’s best interests.
While this ruling changes how parentage may be recognized, the child’s best interests remain the court’s guiding priority when evaluating custody or visitation requests.
This is particularly significant in disputes where one parent may try to cut off contact between a child and a long-time caregiver or co-parent. The decision gives judges more flexibility to prioritize the child’s emotional wellbeing and continuity of care.
What Families Should Do Next
If you're currently in a parenting role but aren’t legally recognized as a parent – or if you’ve shared parenting responsibilities in the past and are now facing a custody issue – this ruling could affect your rights. It’s important to speak with a family law attorney to understand how this new standard might apply in your situation.
At Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C., we help families throughout Pennsylvania navigate complex custody and parentage matters with clarity and compassion. Whether you're pursuing custody, seeking to protect your relationship with a child, or trying to understand your parental rights under evolving laws, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Your Parenting Rights Matter – Let Louis Wm. Martini Jr., P.C. Help You Protect Them
Families don’t always follow traditional legal definitions – and now, the courts are recognizing that too. If you’ve helped raise a child and want to understand your rights under Pennsylvania’s evolving parentage laws, it’s important to speak with an attorney who’s prepared to guide you through the process.
Call Louis Wm. Martini Jr. P.C. at 610-892-0666 or fill out our contact form today to schedule a confidential consultation. With a longstanding commitment to families in Media, Springfield, and throughout Delaware County and southeastern Pennsylvania, our firm is here to help you protect what matters most.
Whether you're navigating custody, exploring legal recognition as a parent, or responding to a dispute, we’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is provided for general educational purposes only and reflects Pennsylvania law as of May 2025. Family-law statutes, regulations, and court interpretations can change quickly and may differ in other jurisdictions. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship, and it should not be relied on as a substitute for personalized legal advice. Before making any decisions affecting your rights or your family, consult a qualified Pennsylvania family-law attorney about your specific circumstances.