Legal Definitions - absent parent

Definition: An absent parent is a parent who does not have primary custody of their child. They may or may not have visitation rights. This term is often used interchangeably with noncustodial parent.

Example: John and Sarah are divorced, and Sarah has primary custody of their child. John is an absent parent because he does not have primary custody of their child.

Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of an absent parent. John is not the primary caregiver for his child, so he is considered an absent parent. This term is used to describe a parent's custody status and does not necessarily reflect their level of involvement or commitment to their child's well-being.