What is parental responsibility and do I have it?

Parental responsibility is all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that a parent has in relation to a child.  Those with parental responsibility can make decisions about a child.  For example, how a child is to be educated.

There are a number of ways a person can have parental responsibility:-

• Automatically. A child’s birth mother automatically has parental responsibility. A child’s father will have parental responsibility if the parents were married to each other at the time of the child’s birth or if the parents subsequently marry.  If the parties are not married, the father gains parental responsibility by registering the child’s birth jointly with the mother.
• By agreement.  The parents of a child can enter into a parental responsibility agreement, which is registered with the Court.
• By a Court Order.  A Court can make an Order conferring parental responsibility on the parent of a child.
• By way of Will.  Being appointed as a child’s guardian under the terms of a Will confers parental responsibility on the death of the parent.
• By being appointed as a special guardian.

If you wish to discuss matters further please contact Jane Longworth