Grandparents may be ordered to pay child support if the father refuses or cannot afford to do so.

DID YOU KNOW: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf was the advocate who won a ground-breaking case for his client? Because of this case, it is now possible to claim maintenance from paternal grandparents of children born out of wedlock?. This was not possible for over 80 years. The relevant case is Petersen v Maintenance Officer Simon’s Town Maintenance Court and Others 2004 2 SA 56 (C) 381 .”

Grandparents, parents and children – A child cannot choose his or her parents and grandparent. Moreover, every child would want to have parents who would try their best to maintain and support them until they are self-supporting. However, the reality is that that is not always the case. It often happens that parents renege on their duty to actively support their children.

Grandparent supporting their grandchild

Furthermore, grandparents would also want their children to support their children, as they did. The reality is, that often times, grandparents have to step in. They have to support their grandchild due to their child not being able to, or unwilling to do so. Of course, there are legitimate cases where the parents cannot afford to care for their children. In such a case, the grandparents may be more than happy to assist. This post does not deal with the latter scenario.

What does the law say on grandparents’ duty of support?

In short, if a parent cannot adequately maintain a child, the law can force grandparents to assist. This includes both paternal and maternal grandparents. A parent may also claim support from their child. However, this article does not deal with that scenario.

What to do if the father of the child cannot afford to pay child support?

You cannot claim child support from grandparents at the Maintenance Court as the first step. This is so even if they are extremely wealthy. An enquiry first needs to be instituted against the father of the child concerned. You are welcome to ask the grandparents though for support. Therefore, you need to make an application to the Maintenance Court for child support from the father first. If it is determined, that that father cannot afford to pay child support, then they climb a level up. In this case, to the grandparents. The Maintenance Court would then decide whether or not to institute an enquiry against the grandparents. If it is decided that there is a need and the grandparent can afford it, then a maintenance order would be made against the grandparents.   We are certain that you found the above article useful and interesting. Please consider sharing it on the share buttons below. They include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more. Someone may find it useful as well. Should you require business advice or services, feel free to click on these links: Business SA | Private Legal | Envirolaws

Grandparents may be ordered to pay child support if the father refuses or cannot afford to do so.

DID YOU KNOW: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf was the advocate who won a ground-breaking case for his client? Because of this case, it is now possible to claim maintenance from paternal grandparents of children born out of wedlock?. This was not possible for over 80 years. The relevant case is Petersen v Maintenance Officer Simon’s Town Maintenance Court and Others 2004 2 SA 56 (C) 381 .”

Grandparents, parents and children – A child cannot choose his or her parents and grandparent. Moreover, every child would want to have parents who would try their best to maintain and support them until they are self-supporting. However, the reality is that that is not always the case. It often happens that parents renege on their duty to actively support their children.

Grandparent supporting their grandchild

Furthermore, grandparents would also want their children to support their children, as they did. The reality is, that often times, grandparents have to step in. They have to support their grandchild due to their child not being able to, or unwilling to do so. Of course, there are legitimate cases where the parents cannot afford to care for their children. In such a case, the grandparents may be more than happy to assist. This post does not deal with the latter scenario.

What does the law say on grandparents’ duty of support?

In short, if a parent cannot adequately maintain a child, the law can force grandparents to assist. This includes both paternal and maternal grandparents. A parent may also claim support from their child. However, this article does not deal with that scenario.

What to do if the father of the child cannot afford to pay child support?

You cannot claim child support from grandparents at the Maintenance Court as the first step. This is so even if they are extremely wealthy. An enquiry first needs to be instituted against the father of the child concerned. You are welcome to ask the grandparents though for support. Therefore, you need to make an application to the Maintenance Court for child support from the father first.

If it is determined, that that father cannot afford to pay child support, then they climb a level up. In this case, to the grandparents. The Maintenance Court would then decide whether or not to institute an enquiry against the grandparents. If it is decided that there is a need and the grandparent can afford it, then a maintenance order would be made against the grandparents.

 

We are certain that you found the above article useful and interesting. Please consider sharing it on the share buttons below. They include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more. Someone may find it useful as well.

Should you require business advice or services, feel free to click on these links:

Business SA | Private Legal | Envirolaws

Related Post

Relocation with my minor child to Italy, Milan (Consent and Refusal) – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

The world is becoming a much smaller place, and technology plays a huge role. People are moving across the world for employment, love and happiness, something that was not the norm a few decades ago. There is no reason why you should remain in South Africa if you can find a better life for yourself and your family overseas. Moving overseas may provide you with the quality of life you want or the possibility of experiencing things you always wanted. The same applies to your child or children relocating with you.

Relocation of your minor child to Milan, Italy

If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages three or four) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Cape Town or Pinetown, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Milan, Italy, you would require the other parent’s consent to leave South Africa with your minor child. This can cause challenges, especially if the staying parent (in South Africa) does not agree to the relocation.

What about Passport Consent to travel or relocate to Milan, Italy?

The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Italy, or any country. Both parents who have parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship will have to consent to the minor child’s passport application as well. In this regard, both parents have to be at the Department of Home Affairs (or the relevant bank that also assists with passport application) when making the Application with the minor child. This can be challenging if you have a disinterested parent who does not want to cooperate with the passport application. As you will see later, legal action would need to be taken.

What are the steps to follow when I want to relocate to Milan, Italy with my minor child? There is another parent.

To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport. Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Milan, Italy.

What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Milan, Italy?

If the parent remaining in South Africa does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or his or her relocation to Milan, Italy, then you would need to approach the Court. The Court, as upper guardian of the minor child, may order that the parent’s consent for the passport application and relocation be dispensed with. What this entails is submitting Court documents explaining why you want to relocate to Milan, Italy. The other parent would also have an opportunity to give reasons why he or she objects. At the end of the process, the Court would determine what is in the minor child’s best interests. If it is in the minor child’s best interests to relocate to Milan, Italy, the Court would make it possible despite the issue of consent or refusal.

What is the first step I should take if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or relocation to Milan, Italy?

If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Milan, Italy – in that case, we suggest you approach an attorney or advocate (trust account) to assist you with the legal process. He or she would then contact the other parent explaining the reasons for the relocation and request the necessary consent. If the parent remaining in South Africa does still not agree to the passport application and/or to the relocation to Milan, Italy, then the attorney or advocate will proceed to take the matter to court. The legal route can be expensive. However, it is necessary to make the relocation of the minor child possible. You may also attend to the legal process yourself.

Getting legal assistance or help with your relocation application to Milan, Italy

If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Milan, Italy due to the other parent not cooperating or providing consent, then feel free to contact us for assistance. The Firm Advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, deals with these types of matters.

17 Relocation with my minor child to Italy, Rome (Consent and Refusal) – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf The world is becoming a much smaller place, and technology plays a huge role. People are moving across the world for employment, love and happiness, something that was not the norm a few decades ago. There is no reason why you should remain in South Africa if you can find a better life for yourself and your family overseas. Moving overseas may provide you with the quality of life you want or the possibility of experiencing things you always wanted. The same applies to your child or children relocating with you. Relocation of your minor child to Rome, Italy If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages one or two) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Carletonville or Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Rome, Italy, you would require the other parent’s consent to leave South Africa with your minor child. This can cause challenges, especially if the staying parent (in South Africa) does not agree to the relocation. What about Passport Consent to travel or relocate to Rome, Italy? The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Italy, or any country. Both parents who have parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship will have to consent to the minor child’s passport application as well. In this regard, both parents have to be at the Department of Home Affairs (or the relevant bank that also assists with passport application) when making the Application with the minor child. This can be challenging if you have a disinterested parent who does not want to cooperate with the passport application. As you will see later, legal action would need to be taken. What are the steps to follow when I want to relocate to Rome, Italy with my minor child? There is there another parent. To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport. Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Rome, Italy. What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Rome, Italy? If the parent remaining in South Africa does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or his or her relocation to Rome, Italy, then you would need to approach the Court. The Court, as upper guardian of the minor child, may order that the parent’s consent for the passport application and relocation be dispensed with. What this entails is submitting Court documents explaining why you want to relocate to Rome, Italy. The other parent would also have an opportunity to give reasons why he or she objects. At the end of the process, the Court would determine what is in the minor child’s best interests. If it is in the minor child’s best interests to relocate to Rome, Italy, the Court would make it possible despite the issue of consent or refusal. What is the first step I should take if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or relocation to Rome, Italy? If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Rome, Italy – in that case, we suggest you approach an attorney or advocate (trust account) to assist you with the legal process. He or she would then contact the other parent explaining the reasons for the relocation and request the necessary consent. If the parent remaining in South Africa does still not agree to the passport application and/or to the relocation to Rome, Italy, then the attorney or advocate will proceed to take the matter to court. The legal route can be expensive. However, it is necessary to make the relocation of the minor child possible. You may also attend to the legal process yourself. Getting legal assistance or help with your relocation application to Rome, Italy If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Rome, Italy due to the other parent not cooperating or providing consent, then feel free to contact us for assistance. The Firm Advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, deals with these types of matters.

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