Question

a man who a mother claims has parented a child is a(n)
○ legal father.
○ adoptive father.
○ presumed father.
○ alleged father.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Legal father: Established by law (e.g., marriage, adoption), not just a mother's claim. Eliminate.
• Adoptive father: Gains parental rights via adoption process, not just a mother's claim. Eliminate.
• Presumed father: Often based on marriage or paternity presumption, not solely a mother's claim. Eliminate.
• Alleged father: A man a mother claims is the child’s father (paternity not yet legally established). This matches the description.

Answer:

D. alleged father.