Estrangement

/ɪˈstreɪndʒmənt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The legal state or condition where a parent is deprived of normal contact with a child, often recognized in family law.
    The court addressed the issue of parental estrangement during the custody hearing.
  2. (n.) A circumstance in trusts or estates where a beneficiary is alienated or effectively excluded from their expected interest.
    Estrangement from the family led to a will contest claiming undue influence.

Commentary

Estrangement primarily appears in family law contexts concerning disrupted parent-child relationships; clarity in pleadings about its nature aids judicial understanding.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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