New York Court of Appeals
In the Matter of Alison D. v. Virginia M.
May 2, 199177 N.Y.2d 651
Summary
The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that the petitioner, a non‑biological, non‑adoptive mother, lacks standing to seek visitation under Domestic Relations Law § 70 because she is not a "parent" within the statute’s meaning. The Court relied on prior precedent limiting standing to biological or legal parents and declined to expand the definition.