Determining a Child’s Parentage Under British Columbia Law

Introduction

Determining a child’s legal parentage is a fundamental issue in family law, affecting matters such as custody, support, inheritance, and identity. In British Columbia, the Family Law Act (FLA), SBC 2011, c. 25, provides a legal framework for parentage determination, ensuring clarity for families, particularly in cases involving assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and paternity disputes. The laws regarding parentage are intended to prioritize the best interests of the child.

Parentage disputes often arise in various contexts, including:

Establishing child support obligations.
Asserting parental rights in custody and guardianship matters.
Determining inheritance rights.
Clarifying parental responsibilities in cases of assisted reproduction and surrogacy.

In this article, we try to provide an overview of the legal framework, the process for determining parentage, and relevant case law in British Columbia.

Legal Framework for Parentage in British Columbia

1. The Family Law Act (FLA) and Presumptions of Parentage

The FLA governs parentage in British Columbia, setting out legal presumptions that determine who is recognized as a child’s parent. The following presumptions of parentage apply under Section 26 of the FLA:

Marital Presumption: If a child is born during a marriage or within 300 days of the end of a marriage, the spouse is presumed to be the child’s legal parent (FLA, s. 26(1)(a)).
Voluntary Acknowledgment: A person who signs the child’s birth registration or a statement of parentage is presumed to be a parent (FLA, s. 26(1)(b)).
Cohabitation: If a person lives with the child’s mother in a marriage-like relationship at the time of the child’s birth, they are presumed to be the child’s parent (FLA, s. 26(1)(c)).
Assisted Reproduction: When a child is conceived through assisted reproduction, the person who consented to be a parent is recognized as such, regardless of biological connection (FLA, s. 24(1)).

These presumptions may be challenged or rebutted through DNA testing or other legal proceedings.

2. Parentage and Assisted Reproduction

With advances in reproductive technology, British Columbia’s laws account for non-traditional family structures and recognize parentage in cases of assisted reproduction.

Sperm and Egg Donors: A donor is not considered a legal parent unless they have an agreement to assume parental responsibility (FLA, s. 24(1)).
Surrogacy Agreements: If a child is born through surrogacy, the intended parents must obtain the written consent of the surrogate and the Court to be legally recognized as parents (FLA, s. 29 (3)). Consent may be waived by the Supreme Court in specific situations (FLA, s. 29 (4)).

Case Law Example: L.T. v. D.B., 2021 BCSC 767 – The court recognized the rights of intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement and upheld their legal parentage over the child, despite biological ties to the surrogate.

Challenging Parentage and Court-Ordered DNA Testing

If parentage is disputed, a party may seek a court order for a DNA test to confirm biological relationships.

Steps to Obtain a Court-Ordered Parentage Test

Filing a Family Law Claim
- A parent, guardian, or interested party may file a Notice of Family Claim in either the BC Provincial Court or Supreme Court to request a determination of parentage (FLA, s. 31).
Requesting a Parentage Test
- In the course of proceedings, a party can request a Parentage Test under FLA, s. 33, to determine if an individual is the child's biological parent. This may involve a DNA test or a Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) test.
Court Hearing
- The court will assess the circumstances and order genetic testing if it finds the request reasonable and necessary to resolve the dispute.
Issuance of a Court Order
- If granted, the court order will specify:
  - Who must be tested (e.g., the child, the alleged parent, and the mother).
  - Where and how the test will be conducted.
DNA Sample Collection
- Samples are collected using painless cheek swabs at a certified DNA testing lab.
Analysis and Report Submission
- The lab submits a report to the court, outlining the probability of parentage.
Court Determination
- Based on DNA results and other evidence, the court will issue a binding ruling on legal parentage.

Implications of Parentage Determination

Once legal parentage is established, it carries significant legal rights and obligations, including:

1. Child Support Obligations

A legally recognized parent is financially responsible for their child, even if they were unaware of the child’s existence or had no prior involvement (FLA, s. 147).

2. Custody and Guardianship Rights

A legal parent has rights to custody, access, and decision-making in the child’s upbringing (FLA, s. 40). However, A parent who has never resided with the parent's child is not the child's guardian

3. Inheritance Rights

A child has a legal right to inherit from their parents, even if the parents are estranged

4. Citizenship and Immigration

Establishing parentage may impact a child’s citizenship or immigration status, particularly in cases involving international parentage disputes.

Legal Recognition of Polyamorous Families in British Columbia

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of British Columbia addressed the legal recognition of polyamorous families in the case of British Columbia Birth Registration No. 2018-XX-XX5815, 2021 BCSC 767. This ruling represented a major advancement in family law by acknowledging that a child can have more than two legal parents, reflecting the changing dynamics of modern family structures.

The case focused on the interpretation of parentage rules under the FLA for children born through sexual intercourse and assisted reproduction. Generally, the FLA presumes that a child conceived via sexual intercourse has two parents: the birth mother and the biological father. In surprising contrast, in cases involving assisted reproduction, the FLA permits the possibility of two or more parents, provided there is a prior written agreement.

The petitioners contended that the FLA overlooked the potential for children conceived through sexual intercourse to have more than two parents, resulting in a legislative gap for polyamorous families. They asserted that this oversight neglected to acknowledge the best interests of children within these family dynamics.

Conclusion

In British Columbia, the determination of a child's parentage is governed by clear legal principles set forth in the Family Law Act, with a strong emphasis on the best interests of the child. The law encompasses various scenarios, including traditional parentage, surrogacy, and assisted reproduction, ensuring that parentage is established in a fair and equitable manner.

When disputes over parentage arise, DNA testing emerges as a trustworthy method to clarify uncertainties, aligning legal parentage with either biological or intended relationships. Navigating parentage claims can be complex, especially in cases involving international elements, surrogacy agreements, or contested paternity, making legal guidance essential.

The ruling in British Columbia Birth Registration No. 2018-XX-XX5815, 2021 BCSC 767 is particularly noteworthy as it recognizes the legal status of polyamorous families, ensuring that children in these arrangements have their parental relationships acknowledged under the law. This decision underscores the need for family law to evolve in response to diverse family structures and highlights the court's critical role in addressing legislative gaps to safeguard the best interests of children.

Arcstone Law Corporation is dedicated to assisting parents and guardians through the legal process of determining a child's parentage. We also provide support in understanding the responsibilities that come with parenthood, including child support, parenting rights, and access to the child. You can reach us by email at admin@arcstonelaw.com or schedule a consultation on our website. All legal services are provided by Arcstone, a law corporation.

Contributor:

Name: 'Bolanle Oduntan*

Title: Managing Lawyer

Email: bolanle@arcstonelaw.com

*practicing through Arcstone Law Corporation

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