(paa-rens pat-tree-eye) n. Latin for "father of his country," the term for the doctrine
that the government is the ultimate guardian of all people under a disability, especially
children, whose care is only "entrusted" to their parents. Under this doctrine,
in a divorce action or a guardianship application the court retains jurisdiction
until the child is 18 years old, and a judge may change custody, child support or
other rulings affecting the child's well-being, no matter what the parents may have
agreed or the court previously decided.
See also child support custody divorce guardian ward
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