Newborns

Legal

From birth certificates to Social Insurance Numbers (SIN), once you have a child there are many legal documents you will want to obtain. If you are parenting on your own, you may want legal advice on obtaining child support or custody issues. Or you may be in a situation where you need information about child access/custody protection programs or family law. For more detailed information, follow these links.

• Human Rights and Reasonable Accommodations – The Human Rights Code is Manitoba's provincial human rights law. It protects individuals and groups in Manitoba from discrimination and is administered by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.

Identification

• Birth Certificate Information – Find out who is entitled to receive certificates.
• Social Insurance Number Information – How to apply for a SIN.
• Passports for Children

Child Access

• Dealing with Child Access Issues - Find out about the legal rights and obligations around child access for parents and grandparents.
• Guide for Grandparents and Extended Family Members Applying for Access to assist grandparents and other extended family members learn about their legal rights, the resources available to them and the process of applying to court to gain access to minor children in situations involving parental separation, divorce or death.

Child Support & Maintenance

When a relationship ends, parental financial obligations continue to ensure the well-being of the child.

• Child Support Recalculation Service - Service for parents who want their child support order recalculated based on updated financial information.
• Guide to Changing a Child Support Order - This guide contains general information about the courts' requirements, procedures and documents needed to apply to court to change a child support order in Manitoba.
• Maintenance Enforcement Program - The Maintenance Enforcement Program monitors and enforces court orders and separation agreements requiring payment of maintenance support.
• Paying Maintenance
• Receiving Maintenance Payments - Learn what the Maintenance Enforcement Program can do to assist you with collecting maintenance payments.

Family Justice

• Family Court Frequently Asked Questions
• Family Justice Links - Includes information about family law, the Public Trustee, the Maintenance Enforcement Program, the Chief Medical Examiner and Legal Aid Manitoba.
• Family Law Booklet - Divorce, child access/custody, child support payments and child protection all fall under family law provisions.
• How to Find a Lawyer - This service provides general legal information over the phone as well as referrals to other law-related agencies.

Legal Aid

• About Legal Aid Manitoba - Provides legal help to those with low incomes.

Separation & Divorce

Separation and divorce can be a time of confusion, sorrow and pain for all members of the family. If you are separating or going through a divorce, it's a great idea to talk to your child and let him know that the marriage separation is not his fault and that both parents love him very much. It's also a good idea to tell your child that the divorce is permanent.

Try to retain as many routines as possible. Make sure your child knows he can ask you questions about the future and try to calm any fears he may have about the separation. Try to focus on the positives when talking to your child, and try to speak kindly of your spouse in front of your child. You could reassure him that he will get to spend time with both of you and maybe he will have two bedrooms! Most of all, make sure he knows how much he is cared for by both parents.

When you are ready, it may be a good idea to tell your child's teacher and childcare provider about the separation or divorce. Professionals in your child's life may notice changes in your child's behaviours or moods and having knowledge of the marriage separation may help them support your child. It may also be important to discuss custody arrangements to avoid confusion or communication breakdown between the home and school or child care centre.

• Caught in the Middle: A Support Service for Children (ages 8-12) - Caught in the Middle is a support group for children whose parents are in conflict over separation and divorce.
• Family Conciliation Services - Conflict resolution services are available to families going through separation and divorce at no cost.
• Family Justice Resource Centre - The Family Justice Resource Centre is a new service provided by Manitoba Justice. Staff can direct you to the services you and your family may need to deal with matters such as child support, custody and access.
• For the Sake of the Children: An Information/Education Program for Parents and Families - Family Conciliation services offers the For the Sake of the Children program which will benefit all adults going through a separation or a divorce where children are involved. New court rules make program attendance a requirement for people who are requesting or responding to requests for custody, access or private guardianship. This free of charge program is also open to grandparents, other family members and interested people.
• For the Sake of the Children: Legal Considerations - The 30-minute video, Legal Considerations (shown here in eight sections), provides information about legal and financial issues when parents separate or divorce. It's one piece of Manitoba government's For the Sake of the Children program – a six-hour, 2-part seminar to help parents understand their children's needs, and what they can do to help themselves and their children cope and adjust to the changes involved.
• Family Law Booklet - Divorce, child access/custody, child support payments and child protection all fall under family law provisions.
• Helping children cope with separation and divorce
• Helping your child through a divorce
• Klinic Crisis Line
• Travelling with a Child: Documents & Legal FAQs - Click on this link to find out what documents are required by a child travelling alone or with one parent or guardian, how to get a passport for your child, and what to do if a custody dispute arises while your child is abroad.
• Moving On & Managing Your Money : An Information Guide for Domestic Violence Survivors - When leaving a home where there is domestic violence, people are often faced with money problems. This Guide brings together a variety of information to help identify what steps to take and where to call as survivors get on their feet and manage their money.
• ManitobaParentZone.ca on Separation & Divorce and the Holiday Season
• Parenting On Your Own Handbook – Raising a child on your own has unique challenges. The Parenting on Your Own handbook features the many supportive resources available to you all in one place.
• Klinic Crisis Line
• Canadian Mental Health Association: Separation & Divorce
• Parenting Pointers for the Holidays After a Separation
• When Parents Separate: How You Can Help Children Cope - Find out what you can do to help your child cope during separation and divorce.

Wills

With a young child in your family, it's very important to make sure you have an up-to-date will. You will need to name a guardian in your will to be responsible for your child's care in the event that both parents die. For more information on wills in Manitoba, follow these links.

• Canadian Bar Association - Making a Will
• Department of Justice - Family Law in Manitoba
• Legal Tips for Single Parents – A brochure from the Community Legal Education Association (Manitoba).