forældremyndighedssager

Forældremyndighed refers to the legal responsibility and authority of parents over their minor children. In Denmark, this concept is primarily governed by the Lov om forældremyndighed og samvær, which translates to the Act on Parental Authority and Contact. When parents are married, they automatically share joint parental authority. If the parents are not married, the mother generally has sole parental authority, but the father can acquire joint authority through recognition of paternity or by agreement with the mother.

Joint parental authority means that both parents have a say in important decisions concerning the child's upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Even if the parents separate, they can continue to exercise joint parental authority. This requires cooperation and communication regarding the child's welfare. If parents cannot agree on significant matters, they can seek assistance from the Family Law Office (Familieretshuset).

In cases of conflict or when one parent is deemed unfit to exercise parental authority, the court can decide to award sole parental authority to one parent or even appoint a guardian. The primary consideration in all decisions regarding parental authority is always the best interests of the child. The Act also outlines provisions for contact rights (samvær), ensuring that children have ongoing relationships with both parents, even if they do not live together.