Legal Question in Family Law in Canada

Re: teenage pregancy

In British Columbia, there is no specified age; whether or not any person may keep her baby is dependant on whether or not she is able to care for the child. If she is not able to care for the child, it is likely the child will be viewed by the appropriate governmental authorities as in need of protection and removed from the mother's care; on the other hand if the mother can care for the child, then the child will not be removed. If the mother has family assistance to care for the child, the child is less likely to be removed, but if she does not have a family network of assistance, the government will often try and provide such assistance in order to keep mother and child together. No one can force the mother to give the child up except by a court order; the parents of the father can not do so and neither can the parents of the expectant mother; if someone (other than a governmental social worker acting under the law)simply takes the child against the mother's wishes, this is a serious crime and should be reported to the police immediately. All parties concerned should consult lawyers as soon as possible if there is any threat of removal of the child without the mother's agreement. Basic legal advice can be obtained by calling the Canadian Bar lawyer referral service at 1-800-663-1919. The consultation with a lawyer is $10