Parental Responsibility

The Collaborative Law process can work particularly well in resolving problems with Parental Responsibility. Please click here for more information, call 01284 763333, or email eah@gross.REMOVE-THIS-BARRIER-BEFORE-SENDING.co.uk.

What is Parental Responsibility?

The rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and the child's property, including:

1. Care and control of the child
2. Discipline
3. Protection and maintenance
4. Contact
5. Education
6. Religious upbringing
7. Protection from publicity
8. Medical treatment
9. Surname
10. Removal out of the jurisdiction
11. Consent to marriage
12. Agreement to adoption
13. Appointment of guardian
14. Administration of property

Who has Parental Responsibility?

Married parents have joint parental responsibility. If the parents are not married, only the mother automatically has parental responsibility.

How can an unmarried father acquire Parental Responsibility?

This can be done in one of six ways:

1. If the child is born on or after 1 December 2003, by registration on the child's birth certificate with the consent of the mother;
2. By entering into a Parental Responsibility Agreement with the mother;
3. By applying to the Court for a Parental Responsibility Order;
4. By being appointed a guardian by the mother or the Court;
5. By obtaining a Residence Order from the Court;
6. By marrying the mother.

Who else can acquire parental responsibility?
In some cases, step parents, grandparents, and others. For more information please see the step parent’s page and grandparent’s page.

Fixed Fees

We can give a quote for drawing up a Parental Responsibility Agreement.

We can also quote for a straightforward application for a Parental Responsibility Order under the Children Act.

Please contact Elizabeth Hodder at eah@gross.REMOVE-THIS-BARRIER-BEFORE-SENDING.co.uk or Julie McDonald at jm@gross.REMOVE-THIS-BARRIER-BEFORE-SENDING.co.uk for further details.