Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf being interviewed by eNCA on 18 May 2020 talking about child maintenance issues during the lockdown

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf highlights the importance of parents paying child maintenance during the lockdown and what parent can do should they be unable to pay it. Click below to view the video.
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Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf being interviewed by eNCA on 18 May 2020 talking about child maintenance issues during the lockdown

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf highlights the importance of parents paying child maintenance during the lockdown and what parent can do should they be unable to pay it.

Click below to view the video.

Related Post

Appealing a Maintenance Court Decision or Judgment

In its very nature, maintenance matters are complicated and never straight forward. For starters, it deals with the income and expenditure of both parents and the needs of the child. It is not easy for a maintenance court to determine with a high degree of certainty what the true income of a self-employed parent is. The same applies to the true expenses of a parent. advice-child-maintenance-child-custody-divorce

Manipulating the maintenance system

It is very easy for a parent to manipulate documentation or only present information which he or she believes would be in their favor. For example, if a parent earns extra income by selling clothing, he or she may decide not to disclose that information to the maintenance Court.  By doing so, the Maintenance Court will determine the maintenance of the child based on the incorrect facts presented. This could become more problematic when one parent knows of the other parent’s additional income but cannot prove it. If the parties have legal representatives, this issue of improper disclosure is limited to a certain extent. For example, lawyers would be in a good position to do their own investigations and verify certain relevant information.

Improper disclosure of expenses

Then there is the issue of the expenses of the child. The court requires a proper outline of all the monthly, daily and yearly expenditure of the child. Without all the relevant information before it, the court is not in a proper position to make a fair decision regarding child maintenance.  This is so as the amount of maintenance a parent should pay is directly determined by what is the child’s monthly expenditure. For example, if a parent earns a million rand a month, his or her maintenance contributions can be no more than what the child actually cost per month.

Intentionally inflating expenses

It often happens that a parent cannot, or do not provide a true reflection as to what the child actually cost. Amounts are inflated, and there is no way that the court or the other parent can really question those amounts. Let’s say the mother is taking the father to the Maintenance Court but the father only sees the child once a month.  The father, in this case, would not be able to confirm or verify whether or not the child actually eats as much as the mother makes it out to be. And many times, parents come to court with an attitude of “let me claim more and the court will give me less.”

Unhappy with the maintenance magistrate’s decision

advice-child-maintenance-child-custody-divorceLet’s say a maintenance enquiry was held by a maintenance magistrate, and a decision was handed down. Should both parents be happy with the decision of the magistrate, their lives can continue and the party who should pay maintenance should comply with the order. However, it often happens that one parent is not happy with the maintenance order. We often get queries where parents want to know what they can do when the maintenance Court did not find in their favor. Sometimes parents feel that the Maintenance Court was one-sided. In such a case he or she wants the decision of the magistrate to be relooked at. In order for this to happen, the Parent should appeal the decision of the magistrate.

Appealing a maintenance Court decision

The purpose of this article is not to explain the technical procedure of appealing a magistrate’s judgment.  The procedure is a bit complicated and we suggest you make use of a legal practitioner to assist you should you wish to appeal a decision.  However, what we want to bring home is that it is possible for the decision of a Maintenance Court to be relooked at by a higher Court and provide you with some insight as to what happens. The higher Court, in this case, will be the High Court.  If you reside in Cape Town, it is the Western Cape High Court.

What happens at the Appeal Court?

Let’s say all the court rules and procedures were complied with and the matter is now before the Appeal Court. The Appeal Court will comprise of two judges. They would have read through the entire court record in the Magistrate’s Court before the matter is heard. Taking it one step back, all proceedings in the magistrate’s court is digitally recorded. So, when you decide to appeal a decision of the magistrate’s court the recordings are sent to an authorised typist, who would type out the entire Court record. You cannot type out the record yourself.

advice-child-maintenance-child-custody-divorceHeads of Argument

Now before you argue your case at the Appeal Court you would want the judges to first know what your arguments are.  At the same time, you would like to know what the other lawyer’s arguments are. In this regard, you would file heads of argument a few weeks before the appeal hearing date. Basically, you will outline what points you will be focusing on, and what law you will be relying on.

You need to convince the Appeal Court there was an error

Your purpose at the appeal is to try to convince the judges that the magistrate erred in his or her decision. In other words, made a mistake.  In relation to a maintenance Court matter, you may even wish to convince the court that the maintenance officer did not follow the procedures outlined in the Maintenance Act or he or she did not properly investigate the maintenance complaint.  For example, the maintenance officer just took the father’s word when he said he was unemployed. Or the mother’s word when she said she earns no additional income.

Incorrect maintenance investigation

Had the maintenance officer done some further investigations by requesting relevant information, or instructing the maintenance investigator, the true facts would have been before the Maintenance Court. In other words, the magistrate would have made a different decision. Now, this would apply to a maintenance Court where the provisions in-place in the Maintenance Act was not followed. If this happened, you may appeal.

The magistrate’s reasons for his or her decision

The High Court judges would have the magistrate’s reasons for his decision before them. In other words, the magistrate would provide a document to the appeals court where he or she explains why he or she made a certain decision in the Maintenance Court matter.  He or she may, for example, say that based upon the evidence presented, the father earned an amount which does not justify him paying more than what he is currently paying.  Or the maintenance magistrate might say that based upon all the evidence presented, he could not find any information that will justify an amount greater than what the father is currently paying. The appeal Court would look at all these reasons and the evidence that was presented at court. It would listen to the arguments of the legal representatives and determine whether or not the magistrate made an error in judgment.

The appeals court’s decision

advice-child-maintenance-child-custody-divorceIf it is decided that the magistrate made an error in judgment, the court would in those circumstances change the order or refer the matter back to the maintenance court for a proper enquiry.  If the court decides that the magistrate was correct in its judgment, it will dismiss the appeal. So in short if you are dissatisfied with a maintenance magistrates court decision, you have full right to appeal it.      
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Rule 43 Application – Maintenance Pendente Lite – High Court – Cape Town

Whilst you are in the process of divorcing your spouse, you may require the Western Cape High Court to assist you with regard to maintenance, or contact with your child. You may want the Court to Order t your spouse pays a portion of your legal fees, as well. This can all be done while the divorce is still pending. In the High Court, the court procedure to follow is outlined in its Uniform Rule 43.  That is where the term “Rule 43 Applications” come from.

Family Law Questions and Answers

Should you not find what you are looking for, feel free to post your questions on our blog, by clicking on the following links:

Divorces – Questions and Answers

Child Custody – Questions and Answers

Child Maintenance – Question and Answers

Domestic Violence – Questions and Answers

You are welcome to call us on 021 424 3487 / 0870735800

For other legal and business services, feel free to visit:

Business SA or Private Legal.

Below was provide you with the entire rule 43, as well with an example of the Notice when making use of the rule.

The entire rule 43 is as follows:

43 Matrimonial Matters (1) This rule shall apply whenever a spouse seeks relief from the court in respect of one or more of the following matters: (a) Maintenance pendente lite; (b) a contribution towards the cost s of a pending matrimonial action; (c) interim custody of any child; (d) interim access to any child. (2) The applicant shall deliver a sworn statement in the nature of a declaration, setting out the relief claimed and the grounds therefor, together with a notice to the respondent as near as may be in accordance with Form 17 of the First Schedule. The statement and notice shall be signed by the applicant or his attorney and shall give an address for service within eight kilometres of the office of the registrar, and shall be served by the sheriff. (3) The respondent shall within ten days after receiving the statement deliver a sworn reply in the nature of a plea, signed and giving an address as aforesaid, in default of which he shall be ipso facto barred. (4) As soon as possible thereafter the registrar shall bring the matter before the court for summary hearing, on ten days’ notice to the parties, unless the respondent is in default. (5) The court may hear such evidence as it considers necessary and may dismiss the application or make such order  as it thinks fit to ensure a just and expeditious decision. (6) The court may, on the same procedure, vary its decision in the event of a  material change taking place in the circumstances of either party or a child, or the  contribution towards costs proving inadequate.

How does it work

In short, you or your attorney would file an Affidavit with a Notice outlining in concise form, what you require. Then the other party would respond. The documents should be simple and straight to the point. The idea is to provide enough information for the court to make a quick decision. Now let’s look at an example of a rule 43 Notice used in the High Court.

An Example of a Rule 43 Notice

Below is an example of a Rule 43 Notice dealing with contact rights.

IN   THE   HIGH   COURT OF SOUTH   AFRICA

(WESTERN CAPE DIVISION, CAPE TOWN) CASE NO: In the matter between:   JOHN SMITH                                Applicant     and     JANE SMITH                               Respondent    

NOTICE OF APPLICATION IN TERMS OF RULE 43

  TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED RESPONDENT MADAM   TAKE NOTICE that the abovementioned Applicant claims from the Respondent the following, pendente lite:
  1. The minor child shall reside primarily with the Applicant who shall be her primary caregiver; and
  2. The Respondent shall have reasonable contact with the minor child as follows:
    • Every alternative weekend, commencing from the Friday until the Sunday. The collecting and drop-off times shall be agreed to by the Parties in advance, which may vary from time to time;
    • Equal sharing of long and short school holidays, in that the minor child shall reside one half with the Applicant and the other with the Respondent which shall alternate each year;
    • The Applicant and/or the Respondent, as the case may be, shall further have contact with the minor child on the following days for 3 (three) hours notwithstanding in whose care the minor child is in on those days:
      • Christmas Day;
      • The minor child’s birthday;
      • Father’s day and Mother’s Day; and
      • The Parties’ birthday.
  1. The Parties shall have telephonic contact with the minor child on a regular basis whilst the minor child is in the other’s care;
  2. Notwithstanding the above, the Parties shall have reasonable contact with the minor child at all times, provided that any additional contact shall be arranged telephonically and shall only take place by prior arrangement and consensus between the Parties; and
  3. The Parties shall respect each other’s privacy and shall not enter each other’s homes at any time without prior invitation, whether for the purpose of fetching or returning the minor child or any other reason whatsoever.
  4. JOINT DECISION MAKING
    • The Parties shall make joint decisions about the following aspects of the minor child’s life:
      • Major decisions about the minor child’s schooling and tertiary education;
      • Major decisions about the minor child’s physical care, mental health care and medical care;
      • Major decisions about the minor child’s religious and spiritual upbringing;
      • Decisions about the minor child’s residence both within and outside the Cape Peninsula;
      • Decisions which are likely to significantly change the minor child’s living conditions or to have an adverse effect on her well-being; and
      • Decisions which affect the minor child’s everyday care and daily routine shall be made by the party in whose care the minor child is in at the relevant time.
  1. Costs of this Application if opposed; and
  2. Further and/or alternative relief.
  TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that if you intend to defend this claim you must, within in 10 (ten) days, file a reply with the Registrar of this Honourable Court, Keerom Street, Cape Town, giving an address for service as referred to in rule 6(5)(b), and serve a copy on the Applicant’s attorneys.   If you do not do these things, you will automatically be barred from defending and judgment may be given against you as claimed. Your reply must indicate what allegations in the Applicant’s statement you admit or deny and must concisely set out your defence.   TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that the affidavit of JOHN SMITH (the Applicant) annexed hereto with confirmatory affidavits shall be used in support of this application.   DATED AT SIGNED AT CAPE TOWN THIS___DAY OF __________________2018.         ——————————————                                   ABC  Attorneys     _____________________ Per.:   TO:        THE REGISTRAR HIGH COURT CAPE TOWN     AND TO:  JANE SMITH (RESPONDENT) Working at: XX WESTERN CAPE c/o   AND TO: THE OFFICE OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATE  CAPE TOWN ______________________o0o____________________  

Do you need a lawyer or attorney?

It is always advisable to make use of a lawyer or an attorney when litigating in the High Court, or any court for that matter. However, sometimes the issue of costs comes into play. If however, you cannot afford the services of an attorney, we advise that you still proceed with the application.  
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Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

 

Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Simon’s Town or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you have no idea how the legal processes work. It is one thing to know that you are entitled to child support, but it is a totally different matter to know the law and procedure on how to claim child support. Luckily in child maintenance matters, the maintenance court is there to assist you in completing the application form. However, many times that is not enough. Especially so if the other parent has a lawyer and knows how to present the case for his or her client.

This article, however, deals with some top tips in care and contact or custody matters in the Children’s Court in Simon’s Town. It would explain the processes involved and advise on how to be best prepared for your matter. This advice is applicable whether you live in Simon’s Town or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Simon’s Town, first try to resolve the issues with the other parent. Therefore, if you want more contact with your child and the other parent is refusing, try to resolve the matter first with that parent. If that does not work, try mediation. The mediator can be anyone, from a trusted mutual friend, priest, or other religious leaders, or a professional like an attorney, psychologist, or the office of the Family Advocate. Simon’s Town has many professionals that can assist you in this regard. If resolving the matter by yourselves is not possible, or mediation fails, then we suggest you approach the Simon’s Town Children’s Court for assistance.

TIP: Focus on getting someone neutral to assist in mediating your matter. Organisations like FAMSA and FAMAC can be of assistance. Google them.

Approaching the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

The Simon’s Town Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Simon’s Town Children’s Court that you fall under their area of jurisdiction. If not, they would direct you to which Children’s Court is applicable to you.

Once you arrive at the Simon’s Town Children’s Court, they will provide you with a form headed “Bringing Matter to Court in Terms of Section 53 Children’s Act, 2005 (Act no. 38 of 2005) Regulation Relating to Children’s Court and International Child Abduction, 2008 [Regulation 6]. This form is also called Form 2.

In this form, you will provide all your particulars and that of the child or children and the other parent. The sections in the form are as follows:

  • PART A: PARTICULARS OF CHILD(REN)
  • PART B: PARTICULARS OF *CHILD WHO IS AFFECTED BY OR INVOLVED IN THE MATTER/PERSON *ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD/*ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD WHO CANNOT ACT IN HIS/HER OWN NAME/ *MEMBER OF A GROUP OF CLASS OF CHILDREN/*IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (SECTION 53(2)
  • PART C: PARTICULARS OF PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE MATTER
  • PART D: PARTICULARS OF MATTER

In part D, the following is stated which you need to provide in the form:

  • Nature of matter brought to Court: (Please give full details of the matter e.g., registration/amendment of parenting plans, removal of child to safe care, children in need of care and protection, placement in youth care centers, adoption etc.
  • Documents: Are there any documents relating to the matter? (If so please attach)

Once you have completed the form and attached the relevant documents to it, you must take it to a commissioner of Oaths to have it commissioned. It does not have to be in Simon’s Town.

TIP: Draft a separate affidavit explaining your case. Outline some background information and reasons why the Court should give you what you request. Attach it to Form 2.

Processing your Application at the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Simon’s Town Children’s Court, they will process it and allocate it a case number or reference number. The Clerk of the Court would then allocate a date to the matter and advise the parties accordingly when the court date is. Please note that some courts follow a different process for processing the application and informing the parties of the court date. Please enquire from the Court when making the application what process they follow.

TIP: Obtain the contact details of the Court for you to contact them to obtain the Court date or other information. Ask for their contact number and email address.

Appearing in the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

When notified of the Court date, both you and the other parent should attend. If you are making use of a lawyer (Advocate or Attorney), inform them timeously of the date. Depending on the Court, you may first see the Clerk or go directly to the Magistrate. The Children’s Court would do its best to try to resolve the matter. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the Children’s Court may postpone the matter for either of the following:

  • Get a social worker involved in the matter;
  • Appoint a legal representative for the minor child;
  • Implement interim care and contact arrangements;
  • Having the parties attempt to agree on a parenting plan;
  •  

In serious matters, the Court may remove the minor child from both parents and place the child in foster care. The powers of the Children’s Court are extensive. It will, however, focus on what is in the child’s best interests.

TIP: Be as vocal as possible. Do not expect the Court to be understanding of your case or be on your side. It is your duty to explain your case and provide the Court with all the relevant information they require for them to make a fair decision.

Finalising the matter in the Simon’s Town Children’s Court

Once the Simon’s Town Children’s Court has enough information to make a final decision, it will do so. Depending on the facts of the matter, that could either be making a Parenting Plan, an Order of the Court or a final care and contact Order. The Court may even make further interim orders, where the parties are to return to Court after a few months, or a year later.

TIP: Do not agree to something just because the social worker, a lawyer, or the Court suggest it. You need to be happy with what is decided.

The above Simon’s Town Children’s Court Application tips should apply to the following provinces and cities:

Eastern Cape:

Alice, Butterworth, East London, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown, King William’s Town, Mthatha

Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Uitenhage, Zwelitsha

Free State:

Bethlehem. Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein, Kroonstad, Odendaalsrus, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba, Sasolburg, Virginia, Welkom

Gauteng:

Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Carletonville, Germiston, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Soweto, Springs, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging

KwaZulu-Natal:

Durban, Empangeni, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Ulundi, Umlazi

Limpopo:

Giyani, Lebowakgomo, Musina, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Seshego, Sibasa, Thabazimbi

Mpumalanga:

Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Secunda, North West, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Northern Cape, Kimberley, Kuruman, Port Nolloth

Western Cape:

Bellville, Simon’s Town, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

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