One who stands in the place of a child's parent, but who is not that parent. Either by virtue of voluntary or court-appointed status, that person assumes all rights, duties and responsibilities of the child's parent. surrogate's court n.Synonymous with probate court. See court. surtax Seetax. n. surveillance A legal investigative process entailing a close observing or listening to a person in effort to gather evidentiary information about the commission of a crime, or lesser improper behavior...