Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf – Trust Account Lawyer- Best Legal Law Practitioners (Advocate Attorney) Child Custody Maintenance Contact Divorce Relocation Passport Consent High Court Cape Town

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Telelaw

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf – Trust Account Lawyer- Best Legal Law Practitioners (Advocate Attorney) Child Custody Maintenance Contact Divorce Relocation Passport Consent High Court Cape Town

[caption id="attachment_7072" align="alignleft" width="229"] Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf High Court Advocate South Africa[/caption]
Find the best Attorney, lawyer, or Trust Account Advocate in Cape Town
Everyone wants the best legal advice and services available. However not many of us know how to find a good or a reliable Attorney or Advocate when facing a legal problem. This article deals with the best way to find a Lawyer, Attorney or Advocate to assist you in resolving your legal problems.
Types of Lawyers – Attorneys and Advocates
You get many types of Lawyers. Some are good at some things and others are good at others. However, depending on your legal problem, a general Lawyer, Attorney or Advocate may not be the best person to speak to when handling your matter. Sometimes you will require an expert in the field. This would especially be so when dealing with specialist legal problems and where the stakes are high. These problems would include those of family law, business law, and criminal law. The fields mentioned, our specialist fields where you require a Lawyer or an Attorney with have special knowledge and skills in that field. Read on for some tips on how to find the best Attorney, or Lawyer for your legal problems.
How to find the best attorney or lawyer for your Legal problems?
For most, the starting point in your search to find a good Lawyer would be to do a simple search on the Internet for a good Lawyer, Advocate or Attorney in your area. You obviously do not want to find someone in another province. You may want to Google terms like “Attorney for child maintenance cape town” or “criminal law expert Durban”. Once you found somebody or a firm that meets your requirements, give them a call to see if they can assist you or advise you on your legal issue. You would most probably first speak to a receptionist. If you are satisfied, set up a consultation with them. Look for testimonials and other information of the law firm on the web before engaging with them. If you require legal advice, then most Lawyers should be able to provide you with it. However, if it relates to a Court case, then you may have to arrange a meeting with one or two more first to ensure that you are happy. You initially thought the web and telephone would limit your search and time spend sourcing that right Lawyer for the job.
Fees / Costs of the Lawyer
The costs of legal services are just as important as the costs of a medical procedure. We all want the best, but that is not something that can always be afforded. But at the same time, you do get very good Lawyers who are not expensive and are reasonable in their fees. As it would be impossible for any legal practitioner worth her salt to provide you with the exact figure for a legal case; an estimate is always possible and welcomed. Lawyers usually charge on a time basis. Therefore, if they work on your file for an hour, they will charge you for an hour. It is therefore important to find out what the lawyer’s rate is and how he or she charges. A fee agreement is usually entered into regulating the fees. The usual practice is for Attorneys to request a deposit beforehand. This deposit would be paid into the attorney’s trust account.
Final words of sourcing a lawyer
No two clients are alike. The same applies to lawyers. It is important that you make use of the services of a Lawyer you can get along with, and also that fits your pocket or budget. The last thing you want is for you or your Lawyer to terminate the mandate due to issues between the two of you. This would not benefit your case at all and could costs you or your case dearly. As stated, make use of the internet to source your Lawyer. Many Lawyers list their services and expertise on their firm’s website. Some websites even provide testimonials of satisfied clients. However, it is advised that you contact the law firm telephonically to find out more about the specific service you require and whether they can be of service to you. You would then want to meet with them to discuss your case and see if there are the right firm for the job and fit your budget. We are conveniently situated at The Pinnacle, corner of Strand and Burg Street in the CBD, Cape Town, South Africa. Make use of our online appointment system which is efficient and stress free. Call our offices for an online appointment today.

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Telelaw

[caption id="attachment_10793" align="alignnone" width="733"] Relocation consent for minor child to Australia – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]
I want to relocate from South Africa to Australia with my minor child. The other parent does not want my child to relocate to Australia. What can I do?
Australia is a popular destination to emigrate to. People emigrate from South Africa for many reasons. It ranges from better employment opportunities, family relations, or for a better standard of living. Whatever the reason a parent wants to relocate to Australia, if a minor child will be joining that parent and also relocating to Australia, then the parent remaining in South Africa’s consent would usually be required. Let us unpack the legal issues a parent may encounter when wanting to emigrate to Australia. Before we do so, let us list the various cities and towns in Australia to which you may want to relocate: Canberra, New South Wales, Albury-Wodonga, Armidale, Ballina, Balranald, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Bega, Bourke, Bowral, Broken Hill, Byron Bay, Camden, Campbelltown, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Cooma, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cootamundra, Corowa, Cowra, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Forbes, Forster, Glen Innes, Gosford, Goulburn, Grafton, Griffith, Gundagai, Gunnedah, Hay, Inverell, Junee, Katoomba, Kempsey, Kiama, Kurri Kurri, Lake Cargelligo, Lismore, Lithgow, Maitland, Moree, Moruya, Murwillumbah, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Heads, Narrabri, Narrandera, Newcastle, Nowra-Bomaderry, Orange, Parkes, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Raymond Terrace, Richmond, Scone, Singleton, Sydney, Tamworth, Taree, Temora, Tenterfield, Tumut, Ulladulla, Wagga Wagga, Wauchope, Wellington, West Wyalong, Windsor, Wollongong, Wyong, Yass, Young, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Anthony Lagoon, Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Queensland, Ayr, Beaudesert, Blackwater, Bowen, Brisbane, Buderim, Bundaberg, Caboolture, Cairns, Charleville, Charters Towers, Cooktown, Dalby, Deception Bay, Emerald, Gatton, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Ingham, Innisfail, Kingaroy, Mackay, Mareeba, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Moonie, Moranbah, Mount Isa, Mount Morgan, Moura, Redcliffe, Rockhampton, Roma, Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, Townsville, Warwick, Weipa, Winton, Yeppoon, South Australia, Adelaide, Ceduna, Clare, Coober Pedy, Gawler, Goolwa, Iron Knob, Leigh Creek, Loxton, Millicent, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Oodnadatta, Port Adelaide Enfield, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Renmark, Victor Harbor, Whyalla, Tasmania, Beaconsfield, Bell Bay, Burnie, Devonport, Hobart, Kingston, Launceston, New Norfolk, Queenstown, Richmond, Rosebery, Smithton, Stanley, Ulverstone, Wynyard, Victoria, Albury-Wodonga, Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Beechworth, Benalla, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Colac, Echuca, Geelong, Hamilton, Healesville, Horsham, Kerang, Kyabram, Kyneton, Lakes Entrance, Maryborough, Melbourne, Mildura, Moe, Morwell, Port Fairy, Portland, Sale, Sea Lake, Seymour, Shepparton, Sunbury, Swan Hill, Traralgon, Yarrawonga, Wangaratta, Warragul, Werribee, Wonthaggi, Western Australia, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Coolgardie, Dampier, Derby, Fremantle, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Kambalda, Katanning, Kwinana, Mandurah, Meekatharra, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Newman, Northam, Perth, Port Hedland, Tom Price, Wyndham. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-cities-and-towns-in-Australia-2027337)
Why do I require the other parent’s Consent to relocate to Australia?
According to South African law, if you are a co-holder of parental responsibilities and rights over your minor child, you must consent to your child leaving South Africa. In this case, relocating to Australia. Here we refer to section 18 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The entire provision is as follows: 18 Parental responsibilities and rights (1) A person may have either full or specific parental responsibilities and rights in respect of a child. (2) The parental responsibilities and rights that a person may have in respect of a child, include the responsibility and the right- (a) to care for the child; (b) to maintain contact with the child; (c) to act as guardian of the child; and (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child. (3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a parent or other person who acts as guardian of a child must- (a) administer and safeguard the child’s property and property interests; (b) assist or represent the child in administrative, contractual and other legal matters; or (c) give or refuse any consent required by law in respect of the child, including- (i) consent to the child’s marriage; (ii) consent to the child’s adoption; (iii) consent to the child’s departure or removal from the Republic; (iv) consent to the child’s application for a passport; and (v) consent to the alienation or encumbrance of any immovable property of the child. (4) Whenever more than one person has guardianship of a child, each one of them is competent, subject to subsection (5), any other law or any order of a competent court to the contrary, to exercise independently and without the Consent of the other any right or responsibility arising from such guardianship. (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Now let us explain what Parental Responsibilities and Rights are.
What are Parental Responsibilities and Rights of a parent in relation to a child?
As can be seen from section 18(2) of the Children’s Act, when we refer to Parental Responsibilities and Rights, we refer to the following: (a) to care for the child; (b) to maintain contact with the child; (c) to act as guardian of the child; and (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child. Therefore, if a parent has parental responsibilities and rights over a minor child, and accordingly, rights of guardianship, their Consent is required when it comes to issues of guardianship. As seen from section 18(3)(c) of the Children’s Act above, both parents’ Consent is required should a minor child depart from the Republic of South Africa. In this case, to emigrate to Australia. Even if the minor child only wants to go for a short holiday to Australia, both guardians’ Consent would be required.
When would the other parent be seen as a guardian in the case of a relocation matter to Australia?
It must be noted that not all parents are legal guardians over their minor children. We should therefore distinguish between married or divorced parents and parents who were never married. As you would see below, usually married, or divorced parents’ Consent would be required for a minor child to relocate or emigrate to Australia. However, that does not automatically apply to parents who were never married. This could be because the child could have been born from a brief encounter and never met his or her father. It would not make sense that a parent who never met his or her 15-year-old child, should give Consent for relocation to Australia.
Mother’s Consent for relocation of the minor child to Australia
Section 19 of the Children’s Act deals with the Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers. It states the following: 19 Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers (1) The biological mother of a child, whether married or unmarried, has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child. (2) If- (a) the biological mother of a child is an unmarried child who does not have guardianship in respect of the child; and (b) the biological father of the child does not have guardianship in respect of the child, the guardian of the child’s biological mother is also the guardian of the child. (3) This section does not apply in respect of a child who is the subject of a surrogacy agreement. As seen from section 19(1) of the Children’s Act, in most cases involving the relocation of a minor child to Australia, the mother’s Consent is required as she has full parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.
Married father’s Consent for the relocation of the minor child to Australia
Section 20 of the Children’s Act deals with Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers. It states the following: 20 Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers The biological father of a child has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child- (a) if he is married to the child’s mother; or (b) if he was married to the child’s mother at (i) the time of the child’s conception; (ii) the time of the child’s birth; or (iii) any time between the child’s conception and birth. As can be seen from sections 20 (a) and (b) of the Children’s Act, if the father and the mother were married, or are married, then his Consent is required for the minor child to relocate to Australia. Of course, an exception to this would be should a court of law order otherwise. This would be the case should the parents be divorced and the divorce court ordered that only the mother may act as guardian. Next, we deal with the issue of an unmarried father’s Consent to relocate a minor child to Australia.
Consent of unmarried fathers for the relocation of their minor children to Australia.
Section 21 of the Children’s Act deals with parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers. The section states the following: 21 Parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers (1) The biological father of a child who does not have parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child in terms of section 20, acquires full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child- (a) if at the time of the child’s birth he is living with the mother in a permanent life-partnership; or (b) if he, regardless of whether he has lived or is living with the mother- (i) consents to be identified or successfully applies in terms of section 26 to be identified as the child’s father or pays damages in terms of customary law; (ii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute to the child’s upbringing for a reasonable period; and (iii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute towards expenses in connection with the maintenance of the child for a reasonable period. (2) This section does not affect the duty of a father to contribute towards the maintenance of the child. (3) (a) If there is a dispute between the biological father referred to in subsection (1) and the biological mother of a child with regard to the fulfilment by that father of the conditions set out in subsection (1) (a) or (b), the matter must be referred for mediation to a family advocate, social worker, social service professional or other suitably qualified person. (b) Any party to the mediation may have the outcome of the mediation reviewed by a court. (4) This section applies regardless of whether the child was born before or after the commencement of this Act. As can be seen from the latter sections, a father of a child born out of wedlock does not automatically have parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child. He may however acquire those parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child if he is materially involved in the child’s life. That would be where the father and the mother were in a permanent life partnership when the child was born or he is meaningfully involved in the child’s life, as outlined above. We shall not go into much detail regarding that. However, in most cases, if the father had regular contact with the child and paid child support, he would have acquired parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.
What do you do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child relocating to Australia?
Suppose the other parent also has parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child, and he or she does not want to consent to the relocation of the minor child to Australia, then in such a case, the Court needs to be approached. Here I refer you back to section 18(5) of the Children’s Act referred to above where it states: (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Therefore, after your Court Application has been launched an both sides have been heard, the Court would make the necessary Order. If you are successful in your application for the relocation of your minor children to Australia, then the Court will make an Order similar to that which is shown below. [caption id="attachment_10792" align="alignnone" width="714"] Relocation Order[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10793" align="alignnone" width="725"] Relocation Consent Order[/caption]

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Telelaw