Legal Definitions - nonresidential parent

Definition: A nonresidential parent is a parent who does not have primary physical custody of their child. They are also known as noncustodial parents.

Example: In a divorce, if the mother is awarded primary physical custody of the child, the father becomes the nonresidential parent. The father may have visitation rights with the child, but the child primarily lives with the mother.

Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of a nonresidential parent. The father is not the primary caregiver of the child and does not have physical custody. He is the nonresidential parent and has visitation rights with the child.