Parental Responsibility

trafalgar_2

Yes, but unfortunately it is not retrospective, but they can still register for Parental Responsibility either by entering into an agreement with the mother or through the court which is a simple enough procedure providing the mother doesn't object and there are reasons why he shouldn't.

Fran
Did you mean "No reasons why he shouldn't"


However it still means the law is an !!!!!!

Fran

Yes, no!


What I meant to say is Yes, Yes!

jo_b_2

Thought I'd bump this thread up a bit as there is still some confusion about the issue of parental responsibility. Hope this is useful to someone.

Sarahsaver

Thanks this thread is great, very informative and im sure helpful to a lot of people.
Anyone know by the way if you could get parental responsibility for a child if they already have 2 parents with PR? For example one parent absent and the parent with care has a new partner? How would this work?
Id hate the thought that my ex could walk back in to my kids lives and legally have a say in their medical treatment or schooling >:(

Trix

Unfortunately - as far as I know - if your ex was married to you when your child was born or has gained parental responsibility by the ways given on this thread, they still continue to hold their rights to a say in the childs upbringing until the child is 18.

The FAMILIES NEED FATHERS site states:

'If you are married both you and your spouse will automatically have Parental Responsibility. You both share that responsibility until your children reach the age of 18 (unless ended by a Court Order).'

and:

'Parental Responsibility is defined in the Children Act 1989 as:

"All the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to a child and his property." '

Might be best to get professional advice on this before any problem happens.

trafalgar_2

Anyone know by the way if you could get parental responsibility for a child if they already have 2 parents with PR? (

Yes it is possible..............but only in certain circumstances and it is give through a court.

http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/fsfam008.htm

Scroll down to this section

"Other people who might acquire parental responsibility"

The childs father as you were married retains it also and this cannot be revoked except by a court...........but this is very rarely done......however a court can revoke /limit his rights to make decisions about schooling etc .......

jockettuk

being married and having parental responsability doesnt mean the father will take a interest..yes children need fathers but some fathers need to have a kick up the backside and take some parental responsiblity.. once a fortnight isnt responsible..

after my divorce and now both of us have met others my partner takes all responsibilty for my daughter but for him to have so called parental rights he has to adopt her but her dad wont allow that ... catch 22 me thinks .. her school knows my partner but i had to write a letter for them to let her go home with him.. her dad technically could fetch her from school without any written consent as he has parental rights...

each case i feel is different in some way or other.. I dont want my daughter to stop seeing her father but i cant force him to see her more..

jellyhead

hmmm ... when i registered my son in 96 i was told by the registrar that if the father was named on the birth certificate he would have PR, even though we were not married. looks like she was telling porky pies!