Parents have responsibilities toward their children at all times, although their roles can become more complex after separation or divorce. Maintaining parental authority and understanding your parental rights are essential to moving forward in life and building a strong bond with your children. The experienced parenting time lawyers at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm are here to answer your questions about parental rights and obligations in Ottawa.
If you are a parent in Ottawa, it is essential to understand your rights and responsibilities to your children after a divorce. Canada’s Divorce Act sets duties for parents to act in the best interests of their children and defines the various ways this is accomplished. The Divorce Act covers five main duties parents owe their children following divorce.
Acting in the best interests of the child means parents are asked to consider factors relating to a child’s development and needs, such as:
These and other factors are needs that parents must consider at all times when raising their child.
Parents are expected to protect their children from witnessing or experiencing conflict between them, due to the lasting harm this can cause. To do this, parents should avoid arguing, discussing court case details, or raising adult issues in the presence of their children. Parents should also avoid criticizing the other parent in front of their children, or putting children in a position where they feel the need to choose a side between parents.
Family dispute resolution is an out-of-court system to resolve parenting issues and concerns about support. Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law are all examples of dispute resolution options. In cases where it is appropriate and there is no history of family violence between parents, parents should utilize any dispute resolution techniques available to them.
For court purposes and the calculation of child support, parents are expected to provide accurate and updated information when requested. For support calculations, parents must provide income tax returns, notices of assessment and reassessment, and pay slips or financial statements, in most cases. Failure to provide timely and accurate information can result in delays and other consequences.
Parents must follow court orders concerning child support, parenting agreements, and other matters at all times. Issues such as non-payment of support and violations of parenting time schedules can result in court penalties, including fines, costs, and even jail time.
Parents in Ottawa do have important rights along with their responsibilities under the Divorce Act. For example, they have the right to parenting time with and decision-making responsibility over children. Parents also have the right to share in decision-making about a child’s health care, religion, education, and cultural practices.
However, these rights are always subject to a parent’s ability to provide a safe home environment and show a sound mind in decision-making. When issues affecting these rights must be addressed in court, an experienced parental rights lawyer could help.
Parents in Ontario have important rights along with key obligations toward their children and the other parent. When issues affecting parental rights and obligations in Ottawa arise, our legal team at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm is available to offer valuable guidance at any time. We are available 24 hours a day, so call our law office any time to learn more.
The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm
