Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 · Updated to 15 Dec 2018 · Part VIII · Protection of Children
99. Duty to maintain child accepted as member of family
Feedback & supportWhere a man has accepted a child who is not his child as a member of his family, it shall be his duty to maintain such child while he or she remains a child, so far as the father and the mother of the child fail to do so, and the court may make such orders as may be necessary to ensure the welfare of the child:
child
“child” has the meaning of “child of the marriage” as defined in section 2 who is under the age of eighteen years. Power for court to make order for custody
Provided that the duty imposed by this subsection shall cease if the child is taken away by his or her father or mother.
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Any sums expended by a man maintaining such child shall be recoverable as a debt from the father or mother of the child.