Which term refers to a parent who does not have primary custody of their child?

The term that accurately describes a parent who does not have primary custody of their child is "Non-Custodial Parent." This label is used to define a parent who, following a separation or divorce, does not have physical custody or primary responsibility for the day-to-day care and upbringing of their child. Instead, the non-custodial parent typically may have visitation rights or shared parenting time, but the child primarily lives with the custodial parent who has legal and physical custody.

Understanding this distinction is important in discussions about child custody, as it addresses the dynamics of parental responsibilities and rights following family breakdowns. Other options reflect different custody arrangements but do not specifically refer to parents without primary custody. For instance, "Shared Custody Parent" implies a more equal or shared arrangement, while "Primary Custodial Parent" clearly refers to the parent with primary responsibility. "Joint Custody Parent" indicates a situation where both parents share legal or physical custody but does not specify which parent has primary custody.