Disinheritance and the American Child: An Alternative from British Columbia

Whether children left unsupported after the parent's death result from artificial or natural reproduction, Americans need to take a hard look at laws and policies that support parental irresponsibility. Having children is serious business. The American legal system should make sure that children receive support from their parents, and that this support extends beyond the grave. The British Columbia system of family maintenance is the sanest approach to this problem, both for children and for surviving spouses.

Furthermore, the British Columbia approach still maintains a large degree of testamentary freedom, albeit not of the sort that can be exercised in an abusive manner.