It’s wedding season – three questions to ask before you marry
“Marriage is a matter of more worth / Than to be dealt in by attorneyship” (Shakespeare) Wedding Season is well and truly upon us, and if you (or anyone near and dear to you) is busy planning for marriage (note that we are talking “civil marriage” here, “customary marriages” and “civil unions” are beyond the […]
Free wills week – A report of a township dilemma
The Wills Week that was held from 12-16 September this year, gave people from all backgrounds the chance to have a free consultation and to have a free will drawn up to organise their affairs. One specific instance is typical of so many complicated and desperate situations. Mrs Chantal Jacobs (“Mrs Jacobs”) made an appointment […]
Who gets the house on divorce?
“I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house” (seven-times-divorced actress Zsa Zsa Gabor) Historically 44% of South African marriages have ended in divorce, and there has reportedly been a 20% surge in new divorce applications since lockdown. For those unfortunate couples whose marriages do eventually fall apart, often the […]
ANTENUPTIAL CONTRACTS: WHAT HAPPENS IF A CONTRACT IS NOT REGISTERED?
In South African law, if you get married without having entered into an Antenuptial Contract before the wedding, you are automatically married IN COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY. That means that the assets and liabilities of both parties are combined in one estate, all eggs in one basket, with joint responsibility and decision-making. This is not a […]