Do stepparents have a duty to support their stepchildren? Families come in all shapes and sizes, and a consequence of divorce is often a new blended family. A blended family (or stepfamily) forms when two people make a life together with the children from one or both of their previous relationships. What are the legal […]
What does a social worker do? If you are going through a divorce, especially if you have children, there may be a social worker involved in helping you and your partner resolve disputes. Social workers are an important part of the divorce process, particularly when it comes to child care and contact arrangements. Sometimes clients […]
When parents divorce or die, what rights do grandparents have towards their grandchildren? When couples with children divorce, there is understandably a focus on the arrangements made for the children. A lot of time and effort is spent on ensuring a fair division of care and contact between the parents. Unfortunately, the rights of grandparents […]
Addicted parents – balancing rights with responsibilities With every right comes a responsibility. In no sphere of life is this more true than when it comes to parenting. Do parents have a right to see their children? Yes, they do. But the rights and best interests of the child take precedence. There are circumstances in […]
How to tell children you’re getting divorced? Most of the advice given in this article is common sense, but common sense is precisely what goes out the window at times of high emotion. These tips are worth noting if you are faced with this situation. Reprinted from the Roodepoort Record, by Sasha Wyatt-Minter – 2021-10-04 […]
Over a year ago, we wrote about a case brought by the University of Pretoria, appealing against a decision concerning Section 10 of the Births and Death Registration Act. The appeal found that Section 10, which requires a child born out of wedlock to be given the mother’s surname, is discriminatory. It discriminates against fathers […]
How to determine if child sexual abuse allegations are legitimate or fabricated Sexual abuse of children happens. It is tragic and can have lasting consequences for the child concerned. But it is a difficult and delicate matter to discuss. It is undoubtedly a factor in some divorces, but reliable, authoritative information on child abuse in […]
Reprinted from Business Insider, by Philip de Wet – 2021-06-22 The South African government should help couples to fight better, says a new policy document from the department of social development (DSD). And, while it should do what it can to strengthen family ties and support families during tough times, it should also be ready […]
