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Conover v. Conover (2016): How Maryland Courts Redefined Parenthood at the Expense of Parents
In 2016, Maryland’s Conover v. Conover recognized “de facto parents,” posing a threat to biological parents’ rights by allowing non-parents equal standing in custody disputes without proving parental unfitness. This conflicted with the Supreme Court’s Troxel ruling, which prioritized parental autonomy, creating legal uncertainties and increasing litigation in family courts.