What does the term grandfathering mean?
Caleb Butler
Updated on April 05, 2026
A grandfather clause (or grandfather policy or grandfathering) is a provision in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations while a new rule will apply to all future cases. Those exempt from the new rule are said to have grandfather rights or acquired rights, or to have been grandfathered in.
How do you get grandfathered in?
A person or business is considered to be “grandfathered in” when they are exempt from new rules and can continue to operate under the existing set of regulations. New rules will then only apply to future cases. Today the term is widely used across various sectors, most notably in real estate and health insurance.
What is grandfathering in legal terms?
A grandfather clause is a portion of a statute, contract or regulation which provides that the legal document does not apply in certain circumstances. This is usually due to specific pre-existing facts. The group of people or businesses exempt from new laws or contracts have acquired ‘grandfather rights’.
What’s another word for grandfathering?
What is another word for grandfathering?
| excusing | exempting |
|---|---|
| unchaining | uncaging |
| unfettering | unbinding |
| enfranchising | loosing |
| unshackling | enlarging |
What is a grandfathered use?
A nonconforming use is generally defined as a land use or structure that was legal when established but does not conform to the standards of the current zoning ordinance.
Why is it called grandfathering?
History of the Grandfather Clause The origin of the term “grandfather clause” refers to statutes put in place after the Civil War by seven Southern states in an attempt to block African Americans from voting, while exempting white voters from taking literacy tests and paying poll taxes required to vote.
What is grandfather value?
3. Any gains prior to January 31 are grandfathered. This means the capital gains will be zero if the sale price of equity/ mutual funds is more than the cost of acquisition but less than the value on January 31. In this case, the actual cost of acquisition is less than the fair market value as on 31st January, 2018.
What is the opposite of grandfathering?
Noun. ▲ Opposite of a person from whom one is descended, typically from several generations past. descendant. descendent.
What does grandfather mean as a verb?
verb. /ˈɡrænˌfɑðər/ Verb Forms. to give or be given official permission not to obey a new law or regulation that one would normally be required to obey grandfather somebody/something Workers who were here before the cut in benefits went into effect will be automatically grandfathered.
What does it mean to be grandfathered in at work?
Copy. Grandfathered Employee means an Employee who, as of December 31, 1997 is. Sample 1. Sample 2. Grandfathered Employee means the Grandfathered Employee as defined in the Savings Plan.
What does it mean to be “grandfathered in”?
People typically use “grandfathering” to describe exempting long-time customers or users from new requirements. For example, if a company were to increase their monthly subscription price but allowed you to keep paying the same amount as when you first signed up, they’d say you were “grandfathered” into that new plan.
What is a grandfather clause in a law?
Grandfather Clause A clause in a new law, regulation, or anything else that exempts certain persons or businesses from abiding by it. An alteration of the rules that apply to a certain investment or investment technique while stipulating that investment actions taken before a certain date remain subject to the old rules.
Is it time to get rid of “grandfathering”?
The time has come to call an end to “grandfathering”. Don’t freak out — I mean the word, not the policy. People typically use “grandfathering” to describe exempting long-time customers or users from new requirements.
What is an example of a grandfathered business?
For example, downtown zoning regulations no longer allow gas stations in the area, but Fred’s Fuel was doing business before the zoning laws went into effect,so it is grandfathered and can stay in business. The Complete Real Estate Encyclopedia by Denise L. Evans, JD & O. William Evans, JD.