Family Law around the World

There are a wide variety of different Family Law systems in place around the world. British Columbia in Canada has introduced a new possibility that we have not come across before. British Columbia’s Family Law Act, which came into effect in March 2013, has made it possible for a child to have more than two parents listed on their official Birth Certificate.

The first such Birth Certificate has now been finalised and the baby, Della Richards, has named on her Birth Certificate three parents, Danielle Wiley and her wife Ana Richards with Danielle Wiley has given birth to the baby, and the third parent is the child’s biological father Shawn Kangro. Danielle Wiley and Anna Richards are a married lesbian couple and Shawn Kangro is a long-time friend of theirs. The Family Law Act in British Columbia made this possible, provided it is considered to be in the best interests of the child and provided that a written contract between the adults has been prepared and signed before conception.

We have not heard any suggestions of anything similar being introduced in Australia, but this does illustrate the wide variety of arrangements that exist around the world.

Aylward Game Solicitors

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