Can nonbiological parents be awarded custody?
Courts in the past have usually awarded custody to someone other than the biological or natural parents in cases of abandonment or chronic abuse. This has begun to change in recent years. Judges are awarding custody to anyone with an interest in the child (e.g., stepparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, surrogates) who can introduce evidence as to why they would be the better custodians than the natural parent(s). Again, the courts guiding principle will be the welfare of the child.
