Parental responsibilities are the ability to make decisions for the child and generally ensure the care and protection of the child. Parental responsibilities may mean making day-to-day decisions for the child or making significant decisions such as the child’s religious upbringing, education, activities, residence, etc. Parental Responsibilities are laid out in s.41 of the Family Law Act. Under the Divorce Act, they are called guardianship.

Our award-winning parental responsibilities lawyers in Vancouver, BC focus only on the child’s best interests. By focusing on this single critical area of law, our Vancouver family lawyers have refined our innovative approach to each of our cases. We know your child means the world to you, and we take decisive steps to protect him or her during and after your separation. Contact us today regarding any parental responsibility or guardianship issues.

Day to Day & Major Decisions for the Child

Guardians generally can make day-to-day decisions for the child while in their care. These include the many minor decisions throughout a typical day such as choice of food, school routine, homework, outings, activities, etc. Parents generally share these responsibilities. 

Making Major Decisions Relating to the Child

As a parent, you also share the task of making major life decisions for your children. Examples of significant decisions pertaining to the child’s residence, relationships, education, extracurricular activities, religion, culture, health care, and various other crucial matters that impact your child’s life.

The overriding concern is that the decision is in the child’s best interests. Suppose you and the other parent cannot agree on major decisions relating to your child. In that case, you can always mediate the issue, obtain the assistance of a parenting coordinator or have a judge make a final determination. 

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Shared & Sole Parental Responsibilities or Guardianship

Most parents share parental responsibilities of children. As long as you are the biological parent, you will be presumed to be a guardian capable of making decisions for the child. Having joint parental responsibilities also means that you should consult the other parent about major decisions that affect your child. When disagreements arise, the court may decide on your behalf, or you may obtain the assistance of a parenting coordinator.

In rare cases, one parent is granted sole parental responsibilities or guardianship and thereby can make all major decisions with no input from the other parent. A parent might lose guardianship because of addiction, mental illness, child alienation, or child abuse.

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Protect Your Parental Rights

YLaw Group and its awarding-winning family lawyers in Vancouver focus exclusively on family law and issues in child custody and parental responsibilities. Consult with us to obtain your full rights and act in your child’s best interests.