Fathers who don’t give financial support to their children cautioned by House Speaker Alix Boyd-Knights

Speaker of the House of Assembly Alix Boyd-Knights, has cautioned fathers who do not provide financial support to their children, especially during the Holidays.
 
In her end of year message, Boyd-Knights described Christmas as a season of merriment, and listed the various events which make up the festivities. She stated however, that many children will be deprived of this cheer, due to lack of economic & social support from their fathers.
 
Boyd Knights expressed contempt for the slow and “ineffective” legal framework on child maintenance, which she says, works to the advantage of absentee fathers.
 
In July, a one-day consultation was held to discuss an OECS Draft Family Model Bill, related to the Maintenance of children, and procedures which the Court could adopt when making Maintenance Orders.
 
Consultation on the OECS Draft Family Model Bills is part of the process leading to the enactment of the Family Bills.
 
The present Maintenance Act provides for the Maintenance of certain classes of persons including children and adults. The present Bill is specific to children, and proposes that each parent has an obligation to provide reasonably for the maintenance of children.​