Arizona Arizona Revised Statutes

§ 8-531 — Definitions

ARS § 8-531Title 8. Child Safety · Ch. 4. DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY · Art. 5. Termination of Parent-Child Relationship

Statute text

8-531. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Abandonment" means the failure of a parent to provide reasonable support and to maintain regular contact with the child, including providing normal supervision. Abandonment includes a judicial finding that a parent has made only minimal efforts to support and communicate with the child. Failure to maintain a normal parental relationship with the child without just cause for a period of six months constitutes prima facie evidence of abandonment. 2. "Agency" means an agency licensed by the division to place children for adoption. 3. "Child" means a person less than eighteen years of age. 4. "Custodian" means a person, other than a parent or legal guardian, who stands in loco parentis to the child or a person to whom legal custody of the child has been given by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 5. "Custody" or "legal custody" means a status embodying all of the following rights and responsibilities:

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