1. Understand a parent’s rights and responsibilities

The law gives parents certain rights and responsibilities toward their children. Rights are what the law says you can get. Responsibilities are what the law says you have to do.

If you prove who your child's biological father is, it means that he shares some of the responsibilities you have as a parent. For example, he has to financially support your child even if he:

• does not live with your child
• does not see your child
• is not married to you
• did not live with you
• does not have an ongoing relationship with you
• has other children from a new or previous relationship

Financial support may also include your child having a right to some of his property after he dies.

But proving who your child's biological father is also means that he shares some of the rights you have as a parent. For example, he has the right to:

• ask that your child live with him
• ask for parenting time, which used to be called access, so that your child can spend time with him
• ask for decision-making responsibility, which used to be called custody, so that he can make major decisions about your child's education, religion, health care, and important extra-curricular activities
• apply for and may get government benefits like parental leave and the Canada Child Benefit