The Family Law Act acknowledges the benefit
of both parents being actively involved in a child's life. For
instance, when a court makes decisions about children, the
importance of a child having an ongoing and meaningful relationship
with both of their parents is one of the main
considerations.
The legal framework also requires parents of children to assume
certain responsibilities in relation to their children including to
provide for them financially. For example, parents may be required
to pay child support for their children if they are no longer
living with the child's other parent.
This means there is a lot at stake if there is doubt about who a
child's father is. For instance, a person may find themselves
having to pay child support when they are unsure if they are in
fact the father of that child.
