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Parents Who Sue Their Adult Children For Support: An Examination of Decisions by Canadian Court Judges

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Jeanette Parsons  and
Joseph A. Tindale
Jeanette Parsons
Affiliation:
North Peace Community Resources Society
Joseph A. Tindale
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
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Abstract

This paper explores the factors considered by Canadian court judges in 14 cases where the provincial legislation that obligates adult children to provide support for their parents was referred to. This exploration takes place within the context of intergenerational relationships with a focus on exchange between parents and adult children. Analysis revealed that the courts promote the obligation of family members to provide for one another according to the legislation and that the responsibility to provide this support is based on certain priorities. Nuclear family obligations come before those of the extended family. Of the factors considered by the court, this paper focusses on three: the eligibility of the parent, who is initiating the court proceedings, and the definition and prioritizing of responsibilities between parents and adult children.

Résumé

Ce document explore les facteurs pris en compte par des juges de cours canadiennes dans 14 causes où la loi provinciale a obligé des enfants adultes à prendre leurs parents en charge. L'exploration se situe dans un contexte de relations intergénérationnelles et porte plus précisément sur l'échange entre parents et enfants adultes. L'analyse a révélé que les cours prônent l'obligation pour les membres d'une même famille de subvenir aux besoins les uns des autres aux termes de la loi et que cette responsabilité repose sur certaines priorités. Les obligations de la famille nucléaire ont préséance sur celles de la famille élargie. Le document se penche sur trois facteurs pris en compte par la cour: l'admissibilité du parent, l'identité de l'initiateur de la poursuite et enfin, la définition et la priorisation des responsabilités entre les parents et les enfants adultes.

Keywords

IntergenerationalExchangeLawsuitSupport.Intergénérationneléchangepoursuitesubvention.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , Hiver/Winter 2001 , pp. 451 - 470
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2001

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