Another consideration for high-net-worth and later-life divorce Divorce is inevitably emotional, messy, and complicated. It can even be traumatic. And the more complex and valuable the joint estate, the more sensitive and difficult the division of assets. We’ve written about the treatment of a second property in divorce and the perils of hiding assets (don’t […]
This article on the two-pot pension system is the second in our three-part series on divorce in later life. What do changes to the Pension Act mean for couples divorcing in later life? If you have an occupational pension or pay contributions to a retirement annuity (RA), you will be aware of the changes in […]
Protecting children’s best interests As family lawyers, we talk repeatedly about “the best interests of the child”. This is the principle that informs and underpins the Children’s Act and should be the first priority in any divorce where children as involved. It’s reasonable to expect parents to put the best interests of their children before […]
Understanding Rule 33(4) of South Africa’s Uniform Rules of Court If you’ve ever been involved in a court case, you will know how complex the legal system can be. Often multiple issues are involved in a single court case. For example, in divorce proceedings, the decree absolute must be granted, legally dissolving the marriage. But […]
With recent changes to the Divorce Act, what now for Hindu marriage? We’ve written at length about customary marriage and Muslim marriage on this website, and have been pleased to see the evolution of our common law to accommodate diverse cultural and faith practices in South Africa. In June 2022, the Constitutional Court declared several […]
Laws concerning engagement ring ownership vary around the world Regular readers of this blog will know that SD Law likes to keep abreast of legal news from around the world. South Africa is often in the vanguard of progressive legislation, such as our early sanctioning of same-sex marriage. At other times, laws are enacted in […]
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 […]
The Marriage Bill, currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly, seeks to introduce several changes. Here is what you need to know Reprinted from citizen.co.za, by Corne van Zyl – 2024-10-17 Pretoria residents should be aware that the Marriage Bill, currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly, seeks to consolidate and reform South Africa’s marriage […]
