medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

52FAMILYRegisteredpartnershipsJoint custodyIn Denmark, homosexuals have the samerights and duties as all other citizens, andthey are entitled to form a registeredpartnership, which is as legally binding asmatrimony.Legal separation and divorceAny married person who no longer wantsto stay in the marriage is entitled to legalseparation. Legal separation is a kind oftrial period, during which the couple liveseparately, but are still married. A marriedcouple may get a divorce after beinglegally separated for one year. If bothparties want a divorce, they may get itafter six months.If adultery or violence is involved,divorce may be granted directly, withoutthe period of legal separation.If there are children in the marriage, theparents must decide how to share parentalresponsibility. If they cannot agree on thedivorce terms, they should contact thelocal state county* for advice. As a lastresort, the dispute must be settled incourt.Persons seeking legal separation anddivorce should contact the local statecounty*. If you live in Copenhagen, youshould contact the Prefecture ofCopenhagen*. Here, you may get furtherinformation about the terms andconditions for legal separation, divorce,child custody, division of communityproperty and financial support to thechildren or to your former wife orhusband.The parent not living with the child mustpay child support to the other parent.There is a minimum amount to be paid,but you can pay more if you want to. Childsupport is normally tax deductible.Child maintenanceFree abortionDenmark has provided free abortion since 1973. Any womanhas a legal right to have an abortion at a hospital until the12th week of pregnancy. In exceptional cases, an abortion mayalso be performed later in pregnancy.If you choose to have an abortion, you must ask your generalpractitioner for a referral to a hospital. An induced abortionis usually a surgical procedure performed under generalanaesthesia. You may also have a medical abortion, i.e. anabortion induced by medication.It is the woman’s sole decision whether to have an abortion.On an annual basis, between 15,000 and 20,000 abortionsare performed in Denmark. Some find this figure too high.One of the arguments against abortion it that terminating alife is morally wrong.The determining principle of Danishabortion legislation is that women should be able to choose anabortion to avoid giving birth to unwanted children or puttingtheir own lives at risk by having an illegal abortion.