Legal Question in Family Law in Canada

Re: ''Father ''Rights

This question has been directed to a British Columbia lawfirm. As noted on the LawGuru website it will be answered with reference to B.C. law. The law varies from Province to Province.

The rights and obligations of a parent are the same whether or not the parent is noted on the birth certificate and whether or not the father has paid child support. The father has the obligation to pay child support, the duty to ensure the child has the benefit of knowing him and receiving his help and guidance and the right to have access to the child.

A custodial parent can not bargain away the right to child support in exchange for the father staying out of the child's life (or for any other reason) and it is most always not in a child's best interest to prevent or interfere with the child's right to know a father.

Of course a responsible father will voluntarily pay child support whether or not the mother wants it, and a responsible mother will foster a relationship between the fahter and the child.