Difference between revisions of "Grandparents and Extended Family Members"
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====The ''Family Law Act''==== | ====The ''Family Law Act''==== | ||
Whether a caregiver or extended family member is applying for guardianship, and the rights that go along with it, or for contact, he or she must show why it is in the best interests of the child for the court to make the order he or she is asking for, and the court will usually extend a great deal of respect to the wishes of the child's guardians and often, depending on the child's age and maturity, to the wishes of the child. These issues are discussed in more detail in the chapter [[Guardianship, Parenting Arrangements and Contact]]. | |||
=====Guardianship, parental responsibilities and parenting time===== | |||
Under s. 40(1) of the ''Family Law Act'', only people who are the guardians of a child have ''parental responsibilities'' and ''parenting time'' in relation to that child. People who are not the guardians of a child may have ''contact'' with the child and do not have the right to participate in making decisions about the raising of the child or the right to get information from the important people involved in the child's life, such as doctors, teachers, coaches and so on. | Under s. 40(1) of the ''Family Law Act'', only people who are the guardians of a child have ''parental responsibilities'' and ''parenting time'' in relation to that child. People who are not the guardians of a child may have ''contact'' with the child and do not have the right to participate in making decisions about the raising of the child or the right to get information from the important people involved in the child's life, such as doctors, teachers, coaches and so on. | ||
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Applicants must also get a new criminal records check and a records check from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). | Applicants must also get a new criminal records check and a records check from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). | ||
=====Authorizations to exercise parental responsibilities===== | |||
=====Contact with a child===== | |||
Any person can apply for contact with a child under s. 59 of the act. The court must be satisfied that the contact asked for is in the best interests of the child. People who are applying for contact don't need to get a criminal records check or an MCFD records check done. | Any person can apply for contact with a child under s. 59 of the act. The court must be satisfied that the contact asked for is in the best interests of the child. People who are applying for contact don't need to get a criminal records check or an MCFD records check done. | ||
===Child Support=== | ===Child Support=== | ||