Father's Duty of Care: What You Need to Know

Questioner

My boyfriend has become an unintentional father. He had been in a relationship with a woman for a few weeks who became pregnant in the first few weeks. She does not want to have it terminated. I understand that he has a (financial) duty of care for the child, but does he also have that for the mother of the child?

Lawyer

The legal duty of care of a biological father begins after he has acknowledged the child or after the mother has initiated and won a paternity action. The father is then obliged to contribute to the upbringing and care of his child according to his ability to pay. There is also a legal obligation to have contact with the child, but this article of law has fallen somewhat into disuse. If there has been no marriage, there is no maintenance obligation towards the mother.