parens patriae
- A Latin phrase meaning 'parent of the nation', representing the government's authority to look after individuals unable to care for themselves such as children or the disabled
- The judge exercised parens patriae to change the child custody agreement in the best interest of the child.
- Under the doctrine of parens patriae, the court reevaluated the child support provisions for the handicapped individual.
- The state, exercising its parens patriae role, provided aid to the elderly woman with no living relatives.
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