Adoption in South Africa: Process, Requirements and Legal Effect
A practical guide to adoption in South Africa: who may adopt, when a child is adoptable, screening, consent, the Children’s Court process and the legal effect of an adoption order.
Child’s passport and international travel after divorce
What do divorced parents need to know about travelling with their children? Children of divorced parents often say one of the unintended benefits of the divorce is twice the holidays. Although agreeing on holiday contact can be contentious for parents, divorce can mean the child spends almost the entire school holiday period on vacation. But […]
Non-biological guardians
What are their legal rights? The nature of families is constantly evolving, with more fluid attitudes about remarriage, same-sex marriage, life partnerships, and blended families prevalent today than in the past. The law is working hard to keep up. What happens when someone who is not a biological parent develops a deep bond with a […]
Revolutionising child care post divorce
New strategies for modern families The concept of “family” is changing. It no longer automatically implies a heterosexual couple and 2.4 children. Same-sex couples adopt or have their own children, either through donor insemination or surrogacy. As more marriages end in divorce, we see more blended families as individuals find new life partners, with or […]
Emotional intelligence in child care and contact matters
Understanding emotional needs Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability both to manage your own emotions and to understand, interpret and respond to the emotions of people around you. EI is a critical skill for parents engaged in child care and contact disputes. Both attorneys and parents must demonstrate empathy and patience when addressing children’s fears and concerns in a […]
Child-centred Divorce Month
Prioritising children’s well-being Reprinted from Rising Sun – 2024-07-03 In South Africa, recent changes to the High Court and Regional Court rules require parties to indicate whether they have attempted mediation, are prepared to do so, or refuse mediation with reasons provided before initiating divorce actions. Child-centred Divorce Month, observed annually in July, aims to […]
Choosing a school for your child
School choice can be a bone of contention for divorced parents When a couple with children divorces, their relationship does not end. They must continue to communicate and share responsibility for their children’s care and upbringing. And that includes school selection. In some locations, the choice of school is obvious. In a rural area there […]
Children and divorce – 5 ways to reduce the emotional harm of divorce
Don’t let your children suffer emotional harm of divorce Divorce is never easy. Even when it is amicable and civil, it is hard on spouses. It is even harder on the children. Children don’t understand relationships, but they understand security, and your divorce threatens that. So how can you ensure your children suffer as little […]