More Parents, More Money: Reflections on the Financial Implications of Multiple Parentage

Abstract

This piece builds on several of my previous works in which I have advocated that in certain circumstances, more than two adults should be adjudicated a child’s legal parent.

In this short article, I address the financial implications of multiple parentage. I contend that it is appropriate that all adults who receive legal rights associated with custody and/or visitation should bear corresponding financial responsibility. Specifically, I advocate an approach whereby those parents who shoulder a greater day to day custodial responsibility bear a greater financial responsibility to the child(ren) than a parent who has less custodial responsibility and interaction with the child. I also briefly mention additional financial considerations associated with multiple parentage, such as inheritance issues. This article is intended to begin a critical dialogue and exploration of the ways in which financial responsibility can be appropriately allocated among multiple parents to meet the best interests of the child(ren) involved.

Keywords: domestic relations, estate planning and probate, sexuality and the law, and women