January is “Divorce Month”: Beware the dangers of DIY
The festivities are over, the bills are coming in and everyone is returning to reality. Couples who for most of the year only have to live with each other after work hours, have suddenly spent a whole lot more 24/7 time in each other’s close company. Little irritations have magnified, habits have got on each […]
Visiting South Africa with kids just became easier – Here’s what you need to know
“We’re all going on a summer holiday…” (Cliff Richard) With the Festive Season (and our Summer Holidays!) well and truly upon us, you may be inviting family or friends to visit you from overseas with their children, or perhaps you are a foreigner planning a family trip to South Africa. Either way here’s some good […]
Maintenance defaulters – No place to hide
Obtaining a maintenance order for the support of yourself and/or your children is all very well, but what if you are dealing with an “Artful Dodger” who is determined not to pay you? New provisions in the Maintenance Act just handed you two powerful new weapons – Tracing defaulters: Serial maintenance dodgers are fond of […]
Child maintenance in arrears? The contempt of court enforcement option
“It has regrettably become all too common in divorce litigation that allegations are traded back and forth between the parties, with scant regard for the obligation to comply with orders issued by the court … The rights of the child become relegated to matters of secondary, or sometimes no importance, while the battle between the […]
TWO MINUTES TO A SWIMMING POOL TRAGEDY AND A R62M DAMAGES CLAIM
“There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child” (Dwight D. Eisenhower) A recent High Court decision highlights once again both the personal tragedy and the legal consequences of failing to protect children from the dangers of swimming pools and other hazards. The facts The property in question had both a swimming pool […]
BEWARE, NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
(NOT EVEN POWERS OF ATTORNEY FROM YOUR AGING PARENTS) If your aging parents have asked you for help with making decisions as to their personal welfare, financial affairs, medical treatment and so on, asking them to sign a power of attorney in your favour may be the answer. Just be aware that it is only […]
ONTHOU ASSEBLIEF DAT NIKS VIR EWIG DUUR NIE
(VERAL NIE VOLMAGTE VAN JOU BEJAARDE OUERS NIE) Indien jou bejaarde ouers jou hulp benodig met die neem van hul besluite rakende hulle persoonlike welstand, geldsake, mediese behandeling en dies meer, is ‘n volmag dikwels ‘n gerieflike manier om dit te hanteer. Hou net in gedagte dat dit ‘n tydelike reëling is. Kom ons onderskei […]
UNMARRIED FATHERS: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
When and how does a child’s unmarried biological father acquire full parental rights and responsibilities? A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision illustrates. Out of Africa – a baby taken overseas without the father’s consent The mother of a four month old child relocated with him to England without either informing, or seeking permission […]