Section 21 of the Children’s Act provides that a father acquires full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of a child born out of wedlock if:
- He is in a permanent relationship and living with the mother when the child is born; or
- He consents to be identified as the biological father of the child; or
- He contributes to the child’s upbringing for a reasonable time; and
- He contributes or has attempted to contribute to the expenses of the child.
Section 18 of the Children’s Act states that parental rights and responsibilities include:
- To care for the child;
- To maintain contact with the child;
- To act as guardian of the child; and
- To contribute to the maintenance of the child.
A father must always pay maintenance for his child, regardless of whether or not he has parental responsibilities and rights.
Posted in: Family Law