Laws relating to the family The laws serve to protect the interests of family members, primarily the children

and those who were once considered as illegitimate members. It is with such knowledge that Caribbean governments have implemented family laws to ensure equal status for inheritance. Children and the Law Children have been neglected for a long period until their well being came under threat in recent times. The attacks on children have captured the attention of the Caribbean government who have moved swiftly to implement the Child care and Protection Act. Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda have passed a detailed child protection law in 2003. This act provides definitions of child abuse and neglect, procedures for responding to allegations and judicial remedies. In essence, the child care protection act speaks to the welfare of the child. Maintenance Act Most Caribbean countries have put in place Maintenance Act to protect the well being of the children. This act is designed to ensure that the parents /guardians maintain the children who are under the age of 18 years. It also ensures that single parents receive some financial support from the other parent. In the event that one of the parent fails to carry out his/her responsibility towards the child, the Family Court can intervenes and issue an order which if violated leads to imprisonment Careless acts undertaken by parents such as leaving young children un attended for a lengthy period without a just reason are subjected to be penalized by the hands of the law under the Maintenance Act. The safety of children is a priority outlined in this Act. Laws relating to inheritance Inheritance - the property or money which has been passed from a dead person to his or her beneficiary. The Succession Act deals with matters relating to inheritance. In the past, there had been a legal discrimination against common-law wives and children born out of wedlock. In recent time, changes have been made to this act abolishing any legal distinction between children born in wedlock and those born out of wedlock and giving equal status for inheritance to surviving common-law wives. The following outlines the circumstances surrounding inheritance of property and rights to claim: 1. Where the deceased persons does not leave a will: The surviving spouse is entitled to the entire property if there is no child/children or next of kin The surviving spouse is entitled to two-thirds of the property if the deceased leave behind a child, who would receive the remainder of the property If there are more than one child, the spouse will receive one-third of the property and the remainder divided equally amongst the children The above specifications are assiduously enforced in Barbados. Laws relating to marriage and divorce

Have you ever given thought to the divorce rate in the Caribbean? If not, do so now. I can tell you, it is alarming. One might agree that the amendments made to the divorce laws have made it easier for couples to be granted a divorce. What are these amendments? Amendments made to the Divorce laws The ground for divorce was usually based on common acts such as infidelity, abuse, desertion, among other things. Recent amendments have abolished these grounds and allow for partners to show evidence in court that the marriage is broken down and irretrievable. A divorce will be granted if the partners provide proof to the court that they have been living separate lives for a continuous period of not less than twelve months before the date of filing the application for the divorce The court will not listen to cases that profile partners who have been married for less than two years and have not made extensive use of marriage counselling in an attempt to reconcile differences. Divorce signals the separation of a union. However, the separation does not mean that all ties between both parties will disappear. There are instances where one party may not be able to fully support him/herself for varying reasons; therefore, the other party will have to maintain that party. The following reasons give credence to maintenance by one party: One partner may not be able to engage in meaningful work because of physical, psychological or mental conditions One party may have to take care of children born in the marriage

Alimony - this term is used to describe the money that the court orders a partner (whether man or woman) in a marriage to pay to the other partner as maintenance after divorce.