Co-parenting
What is Co-Parenting?
Co-parenting is the ability for parents to work together successfully in the bringing up of their child. Traditionally co-parenting was due to parents separating or divorcing, but more recently it is becoming a parenting option for many single, gay and lesbian couples.
I am single, is co-parenting the right option for me?
Are you a single man who has not yet found the right person to have a child with? You may feel at the right stage of your life and feel ready to bring a child into the world. Co-parenting is the right option if you would like the child's father to have involvement in their lives. As a man you may wish to be involved in the child's upbringing and not just be a 'sperm donor'. Co-parenting is a huge decision and time should be taken to find the right person with who you can communicate honestly with.
Will I have legal rights as the child's father?
If you donate sperm to a single woman you would be seen in the eyes of the law as the 'child's father'. This means you would have the right to apply for parental responsibility, but may also be financially responsible. The amount of rights you would have depends on several factors, whether there is a legal donor or co-parenting agreement in place, and what level of contact you intend to have with the child.
Can I co-parent with a lesbian couple?
If the lesbian couple are not in a civil partnership, then it is possible for the biological father to still have parental responsibility. The amount of rights depends on several factotrs, whether there is a legal donor or co-parenting agreement in place, and what level of contact you intend to have with the child.
Can I co-parent with a lesbian couple in a civil partnership?
Donating to a lesbian couple in a civil partnership would not give you any legal rights, if there is a donor agreement in place. If you are wishing to have more involvement in the child's life it is still possible however to have contact/visiting rights in place. This does depend on the type of agreement you have and your level of involvement in the child's life.