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Simple English definitions for legal terms
grandfathered in
Read a random definition: Equal Rights Amendment
A quick definition of grandfathered in:
Grandfathered in means that something is allowed to continue even though new rules or laws have been put in place. This is because it was already happening before the new rules were made. For example, if the legal drinking age changes from 18 to 21, people who were already 18-20 and drinking may be grandfathered in, which means they can continue to drink even though the law has changed.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: When a person or entity is allowed to continue with certain conduct or behavior even after new laws or rules have been put in place, because they are protected by a grandfather clause.
Example: In the late 20th century, many states in the US changed the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. However, people who were already 18-20 and drinking were grandfathered in, allowing them to continue drinking even though they were underage according to the new law.
Explanation: The example illustrates how people who were already drinking at the age of 18-20 were allowed to continue doing so even after the legal drinking age was changed to 21. This is because they were protected by the grandfather clause, which allowed them to continue with their behavior even though it was no longer legal for others who were not grandfathered in.