The law relating to children is aimed at promoting children's welfare and protecting their best interests. It does not discriminate against parents because of their partnership status or sexuality. There are a number of advantages to children from their parents being in a civil partnership and the law is slowly moving towards a position where civil partnership is comparable to marriage in relation to rights and responsibilities for children.
There have been a number of recent developments affording additional rights and responsibilities to non-biological parents who are in a civil partnership and addressing some of the inequalities there have been in the law to date. One of the biggest changes is that civil partners are now able to get parental responsibility for their partner's child in the same way as a step parent. Parental responsibility is, at its simplest, the legal status of a parent and brings with it all the rights and responsibilities a parent has towards a child. If you would like further information then please visit our "Children” section, click on "Please Contact Me Now” or call us on 0845 567 5000 for advice on your specific circumstances.
It is also becoming increasingly common for the non-biological parent to have the ability to apply for contact with a child of the family. The courts will usually award contact to a parent who has significant involvement in a child's life. However, every case is different and it is important to get advice which relates to your particular family. Another major change is that if a couple are in a civil partnership and they separate, the non-biological parent will have a duty to maintain a child of the family. Our family department can offer specialist advice on all aspects of gay parenting and it is important that this is tailored to your specific circumstances.
As we say, we are always there for people and families who are in our PURPLE LEGAL scheme. We invite you to join PURPLE LEGAL now. By joining PURPLE LEGAL, you can have all your legal enquiries answered free of charge by simply booking a SolicitorSlot for a time and date that suits you. Alternatively if you wish to speak to us now, please click on "Please Contact Me Now” or call us on 0845 567 5000. We look forward to always being there for you.
