V. C. v. M. J. B.
New Jersey Supreme Court
748 A.2d 539 (2000)
V. C. (plaintiff) and M. J. B. (defendant), a lesbian couple, began dating in July 1993, and M. J. B. began artificial insemination shortly after, giving birth to twins in September 1994; the couple held a commitment ceremony and bought a house together in 1995, and M. J. B. gave V. C. medical power of attorney, listed her as "other mother" on official forms, referred to her as a mother of the children, and acknowledged V. C. shared caregiving responsibility. After M. J. B. ended the relationship in August 1996, the two took turns living with the twins until V. C. moved out permanently in December 1996; V. C. continued biweekly visits and helped pay expenses until May 1997. V. C. sued for joint legal custody and visitation, claiming equal parenting involvement, while M. J. B. insisted she alone made all substantive parenting decisions and that V. C. was merely a helper. The trial court denied V. C. any custody or visitation, and she appealed.
Whether a third-party adult who has established a parent-like relationship with a child may be awarded custodial or visitation rights as a de facto parent.