Georgia law is constantly evolving and changing as our families and the traditional notion of a nuclear family has evolved and changed. When an individual who does not have a blood relationship with a minor child but has developed a loving, responsible, committed caretaker role in a child’s life, he or she may be eligible to be granted court ordered time with a child. Once an individual petitions the court for parenting time under this Georgia law, the court must examine if the individual has (1) Fully and completely undertaken a permanent, unequivocal, committed, and responsible parental role in the child's life; (2) Engaged in consistent caretaking of the child; (3) Established a bonded and dependent relationship with the child, which relationship was fostered or supported by a parent of the child, and such individual and the parent have understood, acknowledged, or accepted that or behaved as though such individual is a parent of the child; (4) Accepted full and permanent responsibilities as a parent of the child without expectation of financial compensation; and (5) Demonstrated that the child will suffer physical harm or long-term emotional harm and that continuing the relationship between such individual and the child is in the best interest of the child.

Equitable caregiver is an area of Georgia family law that continues to be developed.