Family law insights and commentary from the offices of divorce and family law attorney Simon Dippenaar.
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We all know one … the couple that can’t seem to move past divorce. The pair clings on to the emotional connection, even when it is self-destructive. There’s a term for this. Psychologists refer to them publicly as ‘undifferentiated spouses’. Privately they talk about the couples from hell. Couples from hell argue endlessly throughout the […]
There is no shortage of sad songs with lyrics about betrayal, relationship breakdown, divorce, loneliness, unrequited love, guilt, insecurity, angst, and a host of other associated emotions. Elton John puts it poignantly in his hit song, Sad Songs Say So Much: “‘Cause from the lips of some old singer We can share the troubles […]
The other day I came across this quote, “Sometimes it’s not the people that change, it’s the mask that falls off”, and it immediately brought to mind the recent film, Gone Girl. If you’ve seen Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne, then you’d know that it is a […]
The benefits of divorce mediation | Divorce, with or without mediation, can be a messy affair, with tempers flaring and strong emotions coming into play every time you meet with your spouse to discuss the terms. In far too many cases, one or both spouses begin to hate the other and want to do anything […]
Separating from your spouse is rarely an easy, clean or happy process. A divorce can be drawn out for months as the lawyers argue each side’s case for possession of assets and the payment of maintenance. An annulment often seems like a simpler, hassle-free approach to separating – but what exactly is the difference? Divorce […]
Domestic abuse has become so prevalent – not only in South African society – that hardly a day goes by without an article appearing in the newspapers. Last year the UK reported 1.2 million women experiencing domestic violence. In the US incidents of domestic violence against women occurred every 15 seconds. Physical violence is only […]
We’ve seen it so often in Hollywood blockbusters. The rich husband drops a bomb on his (usually much younger) wife just before she is to make it down the aisle. The words “I think we should get a prenup”, are usually followed by tears, hysteria and in worst cases a slap across a freshly-shaven face. […]
The main focus of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 is that the child’s best interests are put first and foremost in every single case. Divorce is always going to be stressful and highly emotional for all involved – even in amicable separations. In order to stop children from being used as ‘bargaining chips’ when […]
