Legal Matters

• Registering a Birth in Manitoba
  Every child born in Manitoba must be registered with Vital Statistics Agency within five days of the birth or before the baby leaves the health facility. As of July 1, 2011, Vital Statistics Agency, Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada introduce the Integrated Birth Registration process to Manitoba. This means that parents can choose to apply for Canada Child Benefits or a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for their baby when they complete the Registration of Birth form.
• Human Rights & 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.

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

• Family Conciliation Services
  Works closely with the family law system. Family Conciliation Services offers conflict resolution services at no cost to families going through separation and divorce. It also provides informational and educational programs free of charge.
• 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.
• Family Law Booklet
  Divorce, child access/custody, child support payments and child protection all fall under family law provisions.
• 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

Wills

With a child joining 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.

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