How and why to determine paternity When a woman gives birth, she knows the child is hers. However, the father has no such certainty. If the couple is in a loving and apparently monogamous relationship, the man can be fairly sure the baby is his. There is a theory in evolutionary psychology called “paternity certainty” […]
Don’t ignore a maintenance order! When a couple divorces, a requirement to pay maintenance is often included in the divorce arrangement. This could be spousal maintenance, child maintenance, or both. While there is not always a court order involved, when one is in place it is legally binding. In maintenance disputes, a court order can […]
Post-pandemic trends in technology and family law Many things changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some practices we were all glad to see end, such as wearing face masks and needing proof of a negative test result before air travel. But some behaviours were introduced that have become mainstream, such as working from home and virtual […]
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 […]
Denying a parent access to a child could land you in jail When a couple with children divorces, the primary consideration is the wellbeing and welfare of those children. Many hours are spent agreeing custody arrangements and working out a parenting plan that defines contact hours, holiday provisions, and other aspects of a child’s physical […]
Reprinted from Business Live, by Tauriq Moosa – 2023-07-03 Divorce mediation act declared unconstitutional in case involving rugby player and former partner who wants to take their children to Australia A law that doesn’t give unmarried parents the same access to the family advocate as married ones has been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. […]
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 […]
Reprinted from Moneyweb.co.za, by Devon Card – 2023-03-30 Exploring mechanisms that couples can employ to create financial independence for the parent who chooses to stay at home and raise the children. The decision to be a stay-at-home parent (SAHP), whether driven by personal values, cultural pressure, or emotional desire, can have enormous financial implications for […]
