Parental responsibility

Parental responsibility is all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authorities that a parent of the child has in relation to both the child and their property. In reality, it gives you responsibilities in relation to:

• Providing a home

• Having contact with or living with your child

• Protection and maintenance

• Discipline

• Choosing and providing for your child’s education

• Determining the religion of your child

• Agreeing to medical treatment

• Naming and agreeing to any change of your child’s name

• Accompanying your child outside of the UK and agreeing to their emigration should the issue arise

• Your child’s property

• Allowing confidential information about your child to be disclosed

Unmarried fathers who are not named upon the birth certificate, if the child is born after 1st December 2003 do not have automatic parental responsibility for the child. There are a number of ways in which an unmarried father can also obtain parental responsibility, including registering his name on the child’s birth certificate, entering into a Parental Responsibility Agreement with the mother or applying to the court for a Parental Responsibility Order.

Our family solicitors can help you to have your say in your child’s upbringing. We’re also able to advise step parents on the obtaining of step parental responsibility. Take advantage of our free initial consultation to find out more.