PARENTAL-PREFERENCE DOCTRINE

parental-preference doctrine. The principle that custody of a minor child should ordinarily be granted to a fit parent rather than another person. • The preference can be rebutted by proof that the child’s best interests are to the contrary. — Also termed parental-rights doctrine; parental-superior-rights doctrine; parental-presumption rule. Cf. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD. [Cases: […]