A De Facto parent is one who has no biological relations to the child but has participated in the child’s life as a member of the child’s family.  Typically, living with that child and performing a share of the caretaking functions similar to a legal parent, usually with the consent of the legal parents. 

De Facto Parents are becoming on a practical level occurring more and more often.  The legal rights of the De Facto Parents are still somewhat behind the times in Massachusetts, but it is a different argument to potentially make.  There is also a grandparent visitation petition that can be filed; which can help with De Facto Parenting.