Maintenance Court Johannesburg

There are number of child maintenance courts in Johannesburg. Below are local maintenance courts that could be close to your area:
  • Johannesburg Family Court Centre – Magistrates’ Court
  • Johannesburg Central Magistrate Court – Magistrates’ Court
  • Hillbrow Magistrates Court – Magistrates’ Court
[caption id="attachment_4278" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call us on: 0211110090
Email: [email protected][/caption] To claim
child maintenance/child support, you should visit your closest maintenance court in your area.

Maintenance Court Procedure

Find out where about is the closest magistrates’ court in your area and pay them a visit. The following will be required:
  • Birth certificate of your child/children.
  • Your identity document.
  • Proof of residence.
  • A divorce settlement.
  • Proof of your monthly income and expenses.
  • The personal details of the parent required to pay maintenance such as their name, surname physical and work address.
  • Copy of your bank statement.
[caption id="attachment_4279" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call us on: 0211110090
Email: [email protected][/caption] In attempt to claim maintenance, you will have to fill in a detailed form stipulated by the Magistrate’s Court. This form shall request all details regarding your income and expenses – lighter expenses such as entertainment and pocket money are also included. Expenses of parents and the child are however, listed separately. The court however, will take a number of factors into consideration when stipulating the amount of maintenance that should be paid. Both parent’s income will be analysed and the court’s decision will be based accordingly.

Child Maintenance Calculator

Our Lawyer Pty Ltd introduced a range of free legal products and services for your convenience. The child maintenance calculator. gives you a better understanding on how much maintenance you should be claiming or receiving. [caption id="attachment_4282" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call us on: 0211110090
Email: [email protected][/caption] Below are our free legal products: Our legal products and services can be accessed nationally and caters to those residing out of Cape Town as well. We have recently introduced our national contact number in which you can contact us on 087 701 1124  for your convenience. Feel free to contact us at any given point and we’ll be sure to swiftly return your call and have an online appointment made for you.

Child Maintenance Office numbers

Feel free to visit us at our law offices for friendly, expert legal advice and enjoy free Wi-Fi in comfortable setting. Our legal consultations are one-on-one and confidential in which the legal expert will be advising you through the process. Are you residing out of Cape Town? No problem. Make use of our national number and call us on 087 7011 124  to have your online appointment made for you. We are able to conduct legal consultations through Skype/video call for your convenience. Connect with us today! Our Lawyer Pty Ltd offers a range of family law legal services for your convenience. You can find our office in the heart of the buzzing CBD at Suit 702, 7th Floor, The Pinnacle, corner of Strand and Burg Street, Cape Town. Feel free to visit us at our offices in a safe, central setting and enjoy professional, confidential, legal consultations at its best. Call our legal offices today and have your legal appointment booked online for a legal consultation in child maintenance. Our Lawyer Pty Ltd is highly accommodating towards its clients and believe in making life easier for its clients. This is why we have decided to initiate an online appointment system as well as an online platform in which you can share your thoughts and post your legal questions.              

Maintenance Court Johannesburg There are number of child maintenance courts in Johannesburg. Below are local maintenance courts that could be close to your area: Johannesburg Family Court Centre – Magistrates’ Court Johannesburg Central Magistrate Court – Magistrates’ Court Hillbrow Magistrates Court – Magistrates’ Court To claim child maintenance/child support, you Continue Reading

Relocation with my minor child to Saudi Arabia, Mecca (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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia

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 Pretoria or Giyani, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia?

The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Saudi Arabia, 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

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

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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia?

If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Mecca, Saudi Arabia – 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 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 Mecca, Saudi Arabia

If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Mecca, Saudi Arabia 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.

Relocation with my minor child to Saudi Arabia, Mecca (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 Continue Reading

[caption id="attachment_5575" align="alignleft" width="300"]National Water Day Cape Town South Africa - Water Crises National Water Day – Cape Town South Africa – Water Crisis[/caption]

World Water Day

Yesterday (22 March 2018) was World Water Day. A day where the focus is on the importance of water and raising awareness on the issues surrounding it. The residence of the Western Cape, South Africa all to well know of the scarcity of water, as in the last few years, water has become in less supply and expensive. Dam levels have declined compared to previous years, and at the time of writing this article, there has been no substantial amount of rainfall positively predicted for the coming winter season. What this tells us, is that both government and civil society need to work together to alleviate the water crisis in South Africa. This can be done by better water management and drilling into alternative sources of fresh water, to mention a few. Clearly some businesses have benefited from the crisis. People are purchasing bottled water in its gallons and the sale of 25 litre containers has sky rocketed. Almost every household owns a few containers. Then there is the Jojo tanks residence purchased and used to catch and store rain water, and water from water sources. All these costs money to the ratepayer. As Our Lawyer (Pty) Ltd is based in Cape Town, we felt it fitting to use our legal expertise to write something on the water crisis in celebration of World Water Day. We too are feeling the crisis in our office building where water saving measures are in place.

Cape Town Water Crisis

The water crisis in Cape Town is therefore clearly a real issue affecting not only its residents, but industry alike. Currently Cape Town is facing level 6B water restrictions, which allows its residence less than 50 litres of water usage a day. This has been the case for the past few months. Prior to that, the quota per person was in the region of 85 litres of water usage a day. With these restrictions, comes higher water costs in that, the more you use, the more you would pay as compared to periods before level 6B. This could be compared to the “polluter pays” principle when it comes to pollution. [caption id="attachment_5573" align="alignleft" width="300"]Water Quota Level 25 L Crises Water Quota at Newlands Springs Cape Town[/caption]

Water Outages and Problems

As with the electricity crisis not too long ago, Cape Town is now experiencing water outages. And in some areas, more than others. Certain areas experience blue coloured water coming from their taps, which may not be potable. Then there is the issue of the controversial water meters being installed for homes across Cape Town. In some areas, the communities opposed its installations citing faulty devices as a reason. When the device fails, residence is left without water until it is repaired, and sometimes not soon enough. This can be particularly annoying as the devices comes at a cost to the ratepayer. No matter how you look at it, water is still a vital resource on any level. We need it for our daily living. Industry requires it for their growth. And farms require it to ensure that there is food on our tables. But where does this leave us going forward? As can be seen, clearly there is a crisis, and costing us. Is there light at the end of the tunnel, or water at the bottom of the pit?

A right to water in South Africa

South Africa is an arid country with a small percentage of its rainfall available as surface water. It further has one of the lowest conversion ratios in the world. Each time we lose a water resource due to pollution or to poor conservation, we are driven closer to ‘water resource extinction’. It is therefore critically concerning that many of the Western Cape’s rivers are heavily polluted.

What does our Constitution say?

Section 24 of our country’s constitution states that “everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.” The same section further states that “the environment is to be protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development. Furthermore, section 27 of our Constitution states that “everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water.”

Alternative Sources of Water in Cape Town

Cape Town has now bought into the idea of desalination. There are currently three desalination plants in Cape Town, hoping to be up and running in a few weeks’ time. This however would not supply Cape Town with all its needed water should it be fully up and running. Then there is the issue of borehole water. Many residences and businesses have invested in drilling boreholes. This however comes at a cost and the water is not drinkable. It seems whatever the alternative sources are, it would cost the user a pretty penny. [caption id="attachment_5572" align="alignleft" width="300"]Water Crises Cape Town Newlands Springs Water Crisis Cape Town Newlands Springs[/caption]

Spring Water

The South African Breweries has a spring water collection point in Newlands Cape Town open to the public. Here residence may collect their water. There is also another collection point a few minutes’ walk away. With only five taps, and long queues, even being open twenty-four hours a day, would not support the entire Cape Town population. People may find it easier to just purchase water from the store. There are quite a few springs in Cape Town, but not all of them are open to the public. You will find people queuing in Muizenberg or collecting the water coming from the Mountain on Boyes Drive. Be that as it may, it would be clearly impracticable for a household of five people to collect their free water from springs, to alleviate a huge water bill. People work, and there are costs involved in transporting the water.

The way forward

[caption id="attachment_5574" align="alignleft" width="213"]Water Bottles Cape Town Crises Shortage 25 LWater Containers being filled.[/caption] Without pointing fingers, it is clear that something has gone wrong with regard to water management in the Western Cape. How can things change so quick? But we are where we are, and now with our eyes open. We cannot depend on government solely anymore to save us, we need to take positive action. If this means installing water saving devices, collecting water, or drilling boreholes; that is what we must do. In any event, our pockets will feel it. We wish the City success with their water desalination venture, and making use of groundwater, and truly wish the Winter season will fill up our dams. However, we all need to have systems and contingencies in place, as this crisis is one that may be around for some time. For environmental legal services, visit Envirolaws (Pty) Ltd. Happy World Water Day! The Our lawyer (Pty) Ltd Legal Team    

World Water Day Yesterday (22 March 2018) was World Water Day. A day where the focus is on the importance of water and raising awareness on the issues surrounding it. The residence of the Western Cape, South Africa all to well know of the scarcity of water, as in the Continue Reading

Best Advice: The Importance of Having a Skilled Criminal Trust Account Advocate – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

It is possible to obtain the services of an advocate directly. In other words, not via an attorney. That is the case should you make use of a Trust account advocate. If you want to use a referral advocate, you must go via an attorney. This article deals with a trust account advocate who provides legal services for criminal law. In criminal law, having a competent and experienced criminal trust account advocate by your side can be the difference between a favourable outcome and devastating consequences. Criminal charges can have life-altering implications, including imprisonment, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. Therefore, it is imperative to understand why securing the services of a highly skilled criminal trust account advocate is essential.

Expertise in the Legal System

A criminal trust account advocate possesses the specialised knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the legal system. Criminal law is multifaceted and constantly evolving, with various rules and regulations that can be challenging to interpret for someone without legal training. A seasoned trust account advocate will be familiar with the law and can leverage this knowledge to build a strong defence.

Protection of Rights

One of the most important roles of a criminal trust account advocate is to protect your rights throughout the legal process. From the moment you are arrested, you have legal rights that must be upheld. A skilled trust account advocate will ensure that law enforcement, police and the prosecution do not violate these rights, potentially leading to the dismissal of evidence or even charges.

Case Strategy Development

A good criminal trust account advocate analyses the details of your case, including evidence, witness statements, and procedural aspects, to develop an effective defence strategy tailored to your situation. They can identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, negotiate plea deals, or prepare for trial if necessary. This strategic planning is critical in achieving the best possible outcome.

Negotiation Skills of the Trust Account Advocate

Many cases are resolved through negotiation rather than going to trial. A proficient criminal trust account advocate will have strong negotiation skills to secure favourable plea deals or reduced charges. Their experience in dealing with prosecutors allows them to trust account advocate effectively on your behalf and seek the best possible resolution to your case.

Emotional Support

Facing criminal charges can be incredibly stressful and emotionally draining. A good trust account advocate provides legal representation and emotional support during this challenging time. They can explain the legal process, answer your questions, and keep you informed, helping to alleviate some of the anxiety associated with the situation.

Trial Experience of the Trust Account Advocate

If your case goes to trial, having a trust account advocate with trial experience is invaluable. They understand courtroom procedures, evidence rules, and strategies to persuade a judge or magistrate. Their ability to present your case compellingly can significantly influence the outcome.

What to Look for in a Good Criminal Law Trust Account Advocate

Selecting the right criminal law trust account advocate is a critical decision that can significantly impact your case. Here are some key factors to consider when searching for a good trust account advocate:

Experience and Specialisation

The first factor to consider is the experience of the trust account advocate. Look for someone specialising in criminal law and with a proven track record in handling similar cases. Inquire about their prior cases, outcomes, and overall success rate. Trust account advocates with specific experience in your type of case (e.g., DUI, drug offences, theft or fraud, violent crimes) will have a deeper understanding of the nuances involved.

Reputation of the Trust Account Advocate

Research the reputation of potential trust account advocates within the legal community. Word of mouth, online reviews, and testimonials can provide insight into an advocate’s credibility and effectiveness. A good reputation often reflects an advocate’s dedication to clients and ability to achieve positive outcomes.

Communication Skills of the Trust Account Advocate

Effective communication is essential in a lawyer-client relationship. Your trust account advocate should be able to explain legal concepts in a way you can understand while also being a good listener. They should take the time to address your concerns, provide updates on your case, and ensure you feel informed and empowered throughout the process.

Availability of the Trust Account Advocate

Assess the trust account advocate’s availability and willingness to dedicate time to your case. A high caseload may mean less personalised attention. Choose someone willing to invest the necessary time and effort into building your defence.

Fees and Costs of the Trust Account Advocate

Understanding the trust account advocate’s fee structure is critical. Some charge flat fees, while others bill by the hour. Be sure to discuss costs upfront to avoid surprises later. Additionally, consider a trust account advocate’s willingness to provide a clear breakdown of services included in their fees.

Trial Preparation

If your case is headed for trial, it’s essential to have a trust account advocate who is well-prepared and has a clear trial strategy. Inquire about their track record, experience in the courtroom, and how they plan to approach your case if it goes to trial.

Personal Rapport of the Trust Account Advocate

Finally, it’s essential to choose a trust account advocate with whom you feel comfortable. Building a trusting relationship is vital, as you must share personal information and rely on their guidance. Meet with potential trust account advocates to gauge your comfort level and ensure they are someone you can work with collaboratively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a good criminal trust account advocate cannot be overstated. Their expertise, knowledge, and dedication to protecting your rights can profoundly impact the outcomes of your case. When searching for a criminal law trust account advocate, consider their experience, reputation, communication skills, and more. Taking the time to find the right trust account advocate will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your legal representation is in capable hands. This decision is one of the most important steps you can take in navigating the complexities of criminal law and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.  

Best Advice: The Importance of Having a Skilled Criminal Trust Account Advocate – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf It is possible to obtain the services of an advocate directly. In other words, not via an attorney. That is the case should you make use of a Trust account advocate. If you want Continue Reading

Looking for Family Legal Services in Sea Point – Child Maintenance, Child Custody, Visitation Rights and Divorce

Here at our law officers, we understand the struggle of your anxious search for family legal services. Most often, you under the impression that you may not find the legal services you require within close proximity. Look no further.

Family Legal Advice Consultancy

We are a family legal consultancy that strive to cater for all your legal needs by offering legal advice and guidance in family law. If you happen to be residing in the Sea Point area, then legal advice is still in your favor. Searching for a legal solution is tough enough and we are fully aware of this. With this in mind, we have made our legal advice and legal guidance easily accessible for your convenience. Our online system enables you to make an
online appointment for a professional legal consultation within minutes, while in the comfort of your own home.

Price listings for Family Legal Services in Sea Point

We have managed to compile a straightforward price list of some of our legal services in which we offer legal advice and legal guidance in. With that being said, we often have potential clients asking us for an overall view of what the service will cost. When it comes to child maintenance, child custody, contested/opposed divorces and so on; then an overview of the cost cannot be provided as this will be depend upon nature and circumstance of the legal matter. See our legal services page for an idea of what some of our legal services will cost.

Legal Advice in Sea Point – Family law legal topics

For family law legal topics, we offer legal advice on a variety of family law topics, which include, but is not limited to: And while our consultation does come at a fee of R800; we have made our free, expert legal advice articles on our website, easily accessible for the layperson. See the following free, expert legal advice articles which was carefully crafted by the legal expert himself. These articles can be found within the following categories:

Child Maintenance

  1. How to Apply for Child Maintenance at Court – Step by Step Guide and Advice
  2. Child Maintenance Question. How much should I pay or contribute as a p
  3. Child Support or maintenance claims. Does an unemployed father pay?
  4. Non-compliance with Maintenance Orders — Civil and Criminal Remedies
  5. Tricks and tips on how to win your child maintenance case

Child Custody

  1. The Law Regarding Children – The Children’s Act 38 of 2005
  2. Child born out of wedlock: Mother will not consent to her surname change and to be registered as her biological father. What can I do?
  3. How do I get full custody over my child?
  4. Parental Child Abuse in Custody Cases
  5. Relocate with minor child. Parent Refusing Consent for a Passport
  6. Father being refused contact to his child! What are his rights as a Father?
  7. Father’s Parental Responsibilities and Rights to his Child
  8. Urgent Access to your Children without a Lawyer
  9. Parenting Plans and the Law
  10. What happens in a custody dispute where one parent is mentally ill?
  11. How to win your child custody and access court case – Tips and Tricks
  12. Rights of care, contact and guardianship of grandparents to their grandchildren – What does the law say?

Divorce and Property

  1. How to Change your Matrimonial Property Regime
  2. Do your own Unopposed Divorce. No lawyers needed and its Free.
  3. Parental Rights of Divorced Muslim parents after a Talaq or Faskh
  4. Free Online Divorce Assistance Form – DIY Cape Town South Africa comprising of:
So whether you’re residing in the Northern or Southern suburbs, we can assist you in your legal plight. Call our law offices on 021 424 3487, and have our friendly receptionist make an online appointment for you for a face to face, telephonic or Video Chat/Skype legal consultation. Legal consultation – telephonic, face to face or via video chat / Skype legal advice for those residing in Sea Point Are you residing in Sea Point and concerned that legal advice and legal guidance may be out of your way? This could never be more far off from the truth. Our professional legal consultancy have taken such circumstances into account and have managed to accommodate for those residing in the Sea Point area. Our professional legal consultation can take place by virtue of video chat / Skype, email or telephonic for your convenience. We are currently based at Suit 702, 7th Floor, The Pinnacle (on the corner of Burg and Strand Street). Do you require an Attorney to handle your legal matter? No problem. Our law offices have built a wealth of legal connections to ease your plight. After assessing your legal matter during the consultation, we can refer you to an Attorney if necessary. However, we have managed to sustain a convenient online operation which will unfold within the following ways:
  1. Call our friendly receptionist and ask to have an appointment made for you online which will only take a minute or two.
  2. You have the choice of deciding whether you would like a telephonic, email, video chat/Skype legal consultation.
  3. Once you call our law offices on 021 424 3487, the receptionist will make an appointment online for you. Thereafter, you will receive an automated email which will contain all relevant details about the legal consultation. The date, time, nature of legal matter and payments methods will be highlighted within the email.
  4. We urge potential clients to read their email well as well as the terms and conditions within the email.
  5. Only once payment has been made, will the face to face legal consultation be confirmed.
  6. Bear in mind that the date and time of the legal consultation is subject to change on either our part or the potential client’s part. Hence the potential client is free to change the date and time should they later find a more convenient date or time.
Call our law offices on 021 424 3487, and have our friendly receptionist make an online appointment for you for a face to face, telephonic or Video Chat/Skype legal consultation.

Free legal products if you live in Sea Point

Our law offices does not offer pro bono legal services as we are a Family Legal Consultancy that aims at offering expert, efficient legal advice and assistance on child maintenance, divorce, child custody and so forth. We have however, as mentioned previously, made our free, expert legal advice accessible to the layperson on our website. The creators of this website have compiled a “Free Family Law Resources” section, which can be found on our home page. The family law resources are as follows:
  1. Free Basic Will Tool Kit
  2. Free Shariah Will Template
  3. Free Divorce Starter Tool Kit
  4. Free Child Maintenance Calculator
  5. Free DIY Urgent Child Contact Toolkit
  6. Urgent Holiday Contact Toolkit
You can now enjoy free, expert legal advice at the touch of a button. Call our law offices on 021 424 3487, and have our friendly receptionist make an online appointment for you for a face to face, telephonic or Video Chat/Skype legal consultation. Connect with us today!      

Looking for Family Legal Services in Sea Point – Child Maintenance, Child Custody, Visitation Rights and Divorce Here at our law officers, we understand the struggle of your anxious search for family legal services. Most often, you under the impression that you may not find the legal services you require Continue Reading

[caption id="attachment_10843" align="alignnone" width="671"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]

I want to relocate from South Africa to the United States of America (USA) with my minor child. The other parent does not want my child to relocate to the United States of America. What can I do?

The United States of America 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 the United States of America, if a minor child will be joining that parent and also relocating to the United States of America, 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 the United States of America. Before we do so, let us list the various cities and towns in the United States of America to which you may want to relocate: Alabama, Alexander City, Andalusia, Anniston, Athens, Atmore, Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Chickasaw, Clanton, Cullman, Decatur, Demopolis, Dothan, Enterprise, Eufaula, Florence, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Greenville, Guntersville, Huntsville, Jasper, Marion, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika, Ozark, Phenix City, Prichard, Scottsboro, Selma, Sheffield, Sylacauga, Talladega, Troy, Tuscaloosa, Tuscumbia, Tuskegee, Alaska, Anchorage, Cordova, Fairbanks, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Seward, Sitka, Skagway, Valdez, Arizona, Ajo, Avondale, Bisbee, Casa Grande, Chandler, Clifton, Douglas, Flagstaff, Florence, Gila Bend, Glendale, Globe, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Mesa, Nogales, Oraibi, Phoenix, Prescott, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Tempe, Tombstone, Tucson, Walpi, Window Rock, Winslow, Yuma, Arkansas, Arkadelphia, Arkansas Post, Batesville, Benton, Blytheville, Camden, Conway, Crossett, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Forrest City, Fort Smith, Harrison, Helena, Hope, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Magnolia, Morrilton, Newport, North Little Rock, Osceola, Pine Bluff, Rogers, Searcy, Stuttgart, Van Buren, West Memphis, California, Alameda, Alhambra, Anaheim, Antioch, Arcadia, Bakersfield, Barstow, Belmont, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Burbank, Calexico, Calistoga, Carlsbad, Carmel, Chico, Chula Vista, Claremont, Compton, Concord, Corona, Coronado, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Daly City, Davis, Downey, El Centro, El Cerrito, El Monte, Escondido, Eureka, Fairfield, Fontana, Fremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Glendale, Hayward, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Indio, Inglewood, Irvine, La Habra, Laguna Beach, Lancaster, Livermore, Lodi, Lompoc, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Martinez, Marysville, Menlo Park, Merced, Modesto, Monterey, Mountain View, Napa, Needles, Newport Beach, Norwalk, Novato, Oakland, Oceanside, Ojai, Ontario, Orange, Oroville, Oxnard, Pacific Grove, Palm Springs, Palmdale, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Petaluma, Pomona, Port Hueneme, Rancho Cucamonga, Red Bluff, Redding, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Redwood City, Richmond, Riverside, Roseville, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Diego, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Gabriel, San Jose, San Juan Capistrano, San Leandro, San Luis Obispo, San Marino, San Mateo, San Pedro, San Rafael, San Simeon, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Simi Valley, Sonoma, South San Francisco, Stockton, Sunnyvale, Susanville, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Turlock, Ukiah, Vallejo, Ventura, Victorville, Visalia, Walnut Creek, Watts, West Covina, Whittier, Woodland, Yorba Linda, Yuba City, Colorado, Alamosa, Aspen, Aurora, Boulder, Breckenridge, Brighton, Canon City, Central City, Climax, Colorado Springs, Cortez, Cripple Creek, Denver, Durango, Englewood, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, Georgetown, Glenwood Springs, Golden, Grand Junction, Greeley, Gunnison, La Junta, Leadville, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Montrose, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Pueblo, Silverton, Steamboat Springs, Sterling, Telluride, Trinidad, Vail, Walsenburg, Westminster, Connecticut, Ansonia, Berlin, Bloomfield, Branford, Bridgeport, Bristol, Coventry, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, Enfield, Fairfield, Farmington, Greenwich, Groton, Guilford, Hamden, Hartford, Lebanon, Litchfield, Manchester, Mansfield, Meriden, Middletown, Milford, Mystic, Naugatuck, New Britain, New Haven, New London, North Haven, Norwalk, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, Simsbury, Southington, Stamford, Stonington, Stratford, Torrington, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, Watertown, West Hartford, West Haven, Westport, Wethersfield, Willimantic, Windham, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Winsted, Delaware, Dover, Lewes, Milford, New Castle, Newark, Smyrna, Wilmington, Florida, Apalachicola, Bartow, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa-Rockledge, Coral Gables, Daytona Beach, De Land, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fernandina Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Fort Walton Beach, Gainesville, Hallandale Beach, Hialeah, Hollywood, Homestead, Jacksonville, Key West, Lake City, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Largo, Melbourne, Miami, Miami Beach, Naples, New Smyrna Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Palatka, Palm Bay, Palm Beach, Panama City, Pensacola, Pompano Beach, Saint Augustine, Saint Petersburg, Sanford, Sarasota, Sebring, Tallahassee, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Titusville, Venice, West Palm Beach, White Springs, Winter Haven, Winter Park, Georgia, Albany, Americus, Andersonville, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Bainbridge, Blairsville, Brunswick, Calhoun, Carrollton, Columbus, Dahlonega, Dalton, Darien, Decatur, Douglas, East Point, Fitzgerald, Fort Valley, Gainesville, La Grange, Macon, Marietta, Milledgeville, Plains, Rome, Savannah, Toccoa, Valdosta, Warm Springs, Warner Robins, Washington, Waycross, Hawaii, Hanalei, Hilo, Honaunau, Honolulu, Kahului, Kaneohe, Kapaa, Kawaihae, Lahaina, Laie, Wahiawa, Wailuku, Waimea, Idaho, Blackfoot, Boise, Bonners Ferry, Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho City, Idaho Falls, Kellogg, Lewiston, Moscow, Nampa, Pocatello, Priest River, Rexburg, Sun Valley, Twin Falls, Illinois, Alton, Arlington Heights, Arthur, Aurora, Belleville, Belvidere, Bloomington, Brookfield, Cahokia, Cairo, Calumet City, Canton, Carbondale, Carlinville, Carthage, Centralia, Champaign, Charleston, Chester, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Collinsville, Danville, Decatur, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Dixon, East Moline, East Saint Louis, Effingham, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Freeport, Galena, Galesburg, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Granite City, Harrisburg, Herrin, Highland Park, Jacksonville, Joliet, Kankakee, Kaskaskia, Kewanee, La Salle, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincoln, Lisle, Lombard, Macomb, Mattoon, Moline, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Mundelein, Naperville, Nauvoo, Normal, North Chicago, Oak Park, Oregon, Ottawa, Palatine, Park Forest, Park Ridge, Pekin, Peoria, Petersburg, Pontiac, Quincy, Rantoul, River Forest, Rock Island, Rockford, Salem, Shawneetown, Skokie, South Holland, Springfield, Streator, Summit, Urbana, Vandalia, Virden, Waukegan, Wheaton, Wilmette, Winnetka, Wood River, Zion, Indiana, Anderson, Bedford, Bloomington, Columbus, Connersville, Corydon, Crawfordsville, East Chicago, Elkhart, Elwood, Evansville, Fort Wayne, French Lick, Gary, Geneva, Goshen, Greenfield, Hammond, Hobart, Huntington, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo, Lafayette, Madison, Marion, Michigan City, Mishawaka, Muncie, Nappanee, Nashville, New Albany, New Castle, New Harmony, Peru, Plymouth, Richmond, Santa Claus, Shelbyville, South Bend, Terre Haute, Valparaiso, Vincennes, Wabash, West Lafayette, Iowa, Amana Colonies, Ames, Boone, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Cherokee, Clinton, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Estherville, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Indianola, Iowa City, Keokuk, Mason City, Mount Pleasant, Muscatine, Newton, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Waterloo, Webster City, West Des Moines, Kansas, Abilene, Arkansas City, Atchison, Chanute, Coffeyville, Council Grove, Dodge City, Emporia, Fort Scott, Garden City, Great Bend, Hays, Hutchinson, Independence, Junction City, Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Liberal, Manhattan, McPherson, Medicine Lodge, Newton, Olathe, Osawatomie, Ottawa, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina, Shawnee, Smith Center, Topeka, Wichita, Kentucky, Ashland, Barbourville, Bardstown, Berea, Boonesborough, Bowling Green, Campbellsville, Covington, Danville, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Harlan, Harrodsburg, Hazard, Henderson, Hodgenville, Hopkinsville, Lexington, Louisville, Mayfield, Maysville, Middlesboro, Newport, Owensboro, Paducah, Paris, Richmond, Louisiana, Abbeville, Alexandria, Bastrop, Baton Rouge, Bogalusa, Bossier City, Gretna, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Iberia, New Orleans, Opelousas, Ruston, Saint Martinville, Shreveport, Thibodaux, Maine, Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Boothbay Harbor, Brunswick, Calais, Caribou, Castine, Eastport, Ellsworth, Farmington, Fort Kent, Gardiner, Houlton, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Lewiston, Lubec, Machias, Orono, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland, Rumford, Saco, Scarborough, Waterville, York, Maryland, Aberdeen, Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Bowie, Cambridge, Catonsville, College Park, Columbia, Cumberland, Easton, Elkton, Emmitsburg, Frederick, Greenbelt, Hagerstown, Hyattsville, Laurel, Oakland, Ocean City, Rockville, Saint Marys City, Salisbury, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Towson, Westminster, Massachusetts, Abington, Adams, Amesbury, Amherst, Andover, Arlington, Athol, Attleboro, Barnstable, Bedford, Beverly, Boston, Bourne, Braintree, Brockton, Brookline, Cambridge, Canton, Charlestown, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Chicopee, Clinton, Cohasset, Concord, Danvers, Dartmouth, Dedham, Dennis, Duxbury, Eastham, Edgartown, Everett, Fairhaven, Fall River, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gloucester, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Groton, Harwich, Haverhill, Hingham, Holyoke, Hyannis, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lenox, Leominster, Lexington, Lowell, Ludlow, Lynn, Malden, Marblehead, Marlborough, Medford, Milton, Nahant, Natick, New Bedford, Newburyport, Newton, North Adams, Northampton, Norton, Norwood, Peabody, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Provincetown, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Sandwich, Saugus, Somerville, South Hadley, Springfield, Stockbridge, Stoughton, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Taunton, Tewksbury, Truro, Watertown, Webster, Wellesley, Wellfleet, West Bridgewater, West Springfield, Westfield, Weymouth, Whitman, Williamstown, Woburn, Woods Hole, Worcester, Michigan, Adrian, Alma, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Bloomfield Hills, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Eastpointe, Ecorse, Escanaba, Flint, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Grosse Pointe, Hancock, Highland Park, Holland, Houghton, Interlochen, Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Ishpeming, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Livonia, Ludington, Mackinaw City, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Midland, Monroe, Mount Clemens, Mount Pleasant, Muskegon, Niles, Petoskey, Pontiac, Port Huron, Royal Oak, Saginaw, Saint Ignace, Saint Joseph, Sault Sainte Marie, Traverse City, Trenton, Warren, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Minnesota, Albert Lea, Alexandria, Austin, Bemidji, Bloomington, Brainerd, Crookston, Duluth, Ely, Eveleth, Faribault, Fergus Falls, Hastings, Hibbing, International Falls, Little Falls, Mankato, Minneapolis, Moorhead, New Ulm, Northfield, Owatonna, Pipestone, Red Wing, Rochester, Saint Cloud, Saint Paul, Sauk Centre, South Saint Paul, Stillwater, Virginia, Willmar, Winona, Mississippi, Bay Saint Louis, Biloxi, Canton, Clarksdale, Columbia, Columbus, Corinth, Greenville, Greenwood, Grenada, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Holly Springs, Jackson, Laurel, Meridian, Natchez, Ocean Springs, Oxford, Pascagoula, Pass Christian, Philadelphia, Port Gibson, Starkville, Tupelo, Vicksburg, West Point, Yazoo City, Missouri, Boonville, Branson, Cape Girardeau, Carthage, Chillicothe, Clayton, Columbia, Excelsior Springs, Ferguson, Florissant, Fulton, Hannibal, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lamar, Lebanon, Lexington, Maryville, Mexico, Monett, Neosho, New Madrid, Rolla, Saint Charles, Saint Joseph, Saint Louis, Sainte Genevieve, Salem, Sedalia, Springfield, Warrensburg, West Plains, Montana, Anaconda, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Fort Benton, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lewistown, Livingston, Miles City, Missoula, Virginia City, Nebraska, Beatrice, Bellevue, Boys Town, Chadron, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln, McCook, Minden, Nebraska City, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, Plattsmouth, Red Cloud, Sidney, Nevada, Boulder City, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Fallon, Genoa, Goldfield, Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, Virginia City, Winnemucca, New Hampshire, Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Derry, Dover, Durham, Exeter, Franklin, Hanover, Hillsborough, Keene, Laconia, Lebanon, Manchester, Nashua, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rochester, Salem, Somersworth, New Jersey, Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Bayonne, Bloomfield, Bordentown, Bound Brook, Bridgeton, Burlington, Caldwell, Camden, Cape May, Clifton, Cranford, East Orange, Edison, Elizabeth, Englewood, Fort Lee, Glassboro, Hackensack, Haddonfield, Hoboken, Irvington, Jersey City, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Long Beach, Long Branch, Madison, Menlo Park, Millburn, Millville, Montclair, Morristown, Mount Holly, New Brunswick, New Milford, Newark, Ocean City, Orange, Parsippany–Troy Hills, Passaic, Paterson, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Princeton, Ridgewood, Roselle, Rutherford, Salem, Somerville, South Orange Village, Totowa, Trenton, Union, Union City, Vineland, Wayne, Weehawken, West New York, West Orange, Willingboro, Woodbridge, New Mexico, Acoma, Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Artesia, Belen, Carlsbad, Clovis, Deming, Farmington, Gallup, Grants, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Lovington, Portales, Raton, Roswell, Santa Fe, Shiprock, Silver City, Socorro, Taos, Truth or Consequences, Tucumcari, New York, Albany, Amsterdam, Auburn, Babylon, Batavia, Beacon, Bedford, Binghamton, Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Chautauqua, Cheektowaga, Clinton, Cohoes, Coney Island, Cooperstown, Corning, Cortland, Crown Point, Dunkirk, East Aurora, East Hampton, Eastchester, Elmira, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fredonia, Garden City, Geneva, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Great Neck, Hammondsport, Harlem, Hempstead, Herkimer, Hudson, Huntington, Hyde Park, Ilion, Ithaca, Jamestown, Johnstown, Kingston, Lackawanna, Lake Placid, Levittown, Lockport, Mamaroneck, Manhattan, Massena, Middletown, Mineola, Mount Vernon, New Paltz, New Rochelle, New Windsor, New York City, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, North Hempstead, Nyack, Ogdensburg, Olean, Oneida, Oneonta, Ossining, Oswego, Oyster Bay, Palmyra, Peekskill, Plattsburgh, Port Washington, Potsdam, Poughkeepsie, Queens, Rensselaer, Rochester, Rome, Rotterdam, Rye, Sag Harbor, Saranac Lake, Saratoga Springs, Scarsdale, Schenectady, Seneca Falls, Southampton, Staten Island, Stony Brook, Stony Point, Syracuse, Tarrytown, Ticonderoga, Tonawanda, Troy, Utica, Watertown, Watervliet, Watkins Glen, West Seneca, White Plains, Woodstock, Yonkers, North Carolina, Asheboro, Asheville, Bath, Beaufort, Boone, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Durham, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Goldsboro, Greensboro, Greenville, Halifax, Henderson, Hickory, High Point, Hillsborough, Jacksonville, Kinston, Kitty Hawk, Lumberton, Morehead City, Morganton, Nags Head, New Bern, Pinehurst, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Salisbury, Shelby, Washington, Wilmington, Wilson, Winston-Salem, North Dakota, Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, Rugby, Valley City, Wahpeton, Williston, Ohio, Akron, Alliance, Ashtabula, Athens, Barberton, Bedford, Bellefontaine, Bowling Green, Canton, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Conneaut, Cuyahoga Falls, Dayton, Defiance, Delaware, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Elyria, Euclid, Findlay, Gallipolis, Greenville, Hamilton, Kent, Kettering, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Marietta, Marion, Martins Ferry, Massillon, Mentor, Middletown, Milan, Mount Vernon, New Philadelphia, Newark, Niles, North College Hill, Norwalk, Oberlin, Painesville, Parma, Piqua, Portsmouth, Put-in-Bay, Salem, Sandusky, Shaker Heights, Springfield, Steubenville, Tiffin, Toledo, Urbana, Warren, Wooster, Worthington, Xenia, Yellow Springs, Youngstown, Zanesville, Oklahoma, Ada, Altus, Alva, Anadarko, Ardmore, Bartlesville, Bethany, Chickasha, Claremore, Clinton, Cushing, Duncan, Durant, Edmond, El Reno, Elk City, Enid, Eufaula, Frederick, Guthrie, Guymon, Hobart, Holdenville, Hugo, Lawton, McAlester, Miami, Midwest City, Moore, Muskogee, Norman, Oklahoma City, Okmulgee, Pauls Valley, Pawhuska, Perry, Ponca City, Pryor, Sallisaw, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Seminole, Shawnee, Stillwater, Tahlequah, The Village, Tulsa, Vinita, Wewoka, Woodward, Oregon, Albany, Ashland, Astoria, Baker City, Beaverton, Bend, Brookings, Burns, Coos Bay, Corvallis, Eugene, Grants Pass, Hillsboro, Hood River, Jacksonville, John Day, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Lake Oswego, Lakeview, McMinnville, Medford, Newberg, Newport, Ontario, Oregon City, Pendleton, Port Orford, Portland, Prineville, Redmond, Reedsport, Roseburg, Salem, Seaside, Springfield, The Dalles, Tillamook, Pennsylvania, Abington, Aliquippa, Allentown, Altoona, Ambridge, Bedford, Bethlehem, Bloomsburg, Bradford, Bristol, Carbondale, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Chester, Columbia, Easton, Erie, Franklin, Germantown, Gettysburg, Greensburg, Hanover, Harmony, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Hershey, Homestead, Honesdale, Indiana, Jeannette, Jim Thorpe, Johnstown, Lancaster, Lebanon, Levittown, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Lower Southampton, McKeesport, Meadville, Middletown, Monroeville, Nanticoke, New Castle, New Hope, New Kensington, Norristown, Oil City, Philadelphia, Phoenixville, Pittsburgh, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Shamokin, Sharon, State College, Stroudsburg, Sunbury, Swarthmore, Tamaqua, Titusville, Uniontown, Warren, Washington, West Chester, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, York, Rhode Island, Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Cranston, East Greenwich, East Providence, Kingston, Middletown, Narragansett, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, South Kingstown, Tiverton, Warren, Warwick, Westerly, Wickford, Woonsocket, South Carolina, Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Camden, Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Florence, Gaffney, Georgetown, Greenville, Greenwood, Hartsville, Lancaster, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union, South Dakota, Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Brookings, Canton, Custer, De Smet, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Huron, Lead, Madison, Milbank, Mitchell, Mobridge, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Sturgis, Vermillion, Watertown, Yankton, Tennessee, Alcoa, Athens, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Cleveland, Columbia, Cookeville, Dayton, Elizabethton, Franklin, Gallatin, Gatlinburg, Greeneville, Jackson, Johnson City, Jonesborough, Kingsport, Knoxville, Lebanon, Maryville, Memphis, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Norris, Oak Ridge, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, Texas, Abilene, Alpine, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Baytown, Beaumont, Big Spring, Borger, Brownsville, Bryan, Canyon, Cleburne, College Station, Corpus Christi, Crystal City, Dallas, Del Rio, Denison, Denton, Eagle Pass, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Freeport, Galveston, Garland, Goliad, Greenville, Harlingen, Houston, Huntsville, Irving, Johnson City, Kilgore, Killeen, Kingsville, Laredo, Longview, Lubbock, Lufkin, Marshall, McAllen, McKinney, Mesquite, Midland, Mission, Nacogdoches, New Braunfels, Odessa, Orange, Pampa, Paris, Pasadena, Pecos, Pharr, Plainview, Plano, Port Arthur, Port Lavaca, Richardson, San Angelo, San Antonio, San Felipe, San Marcos, Sherman, Sweetwater, Temple, Texarkana, Texas City, Tyler, Uvalde, Victoria, Waco, Weatherford, Wichita Falls, Ysleta, Utah, Alta, American Fork, Bountiful, Brigham City, Cedar City, Clearfield, Delta, Fillmore, Green River, Heber City, Kanab, Layton, Lehi, Logan, Manti, Moab, Monticello, Murray, Nephi, Ogden, Orderville, Orem, Panguitch, Park City, Payson, Price, Provo, Saint George, Salt Lake City, Spanish Fork, Springville, Tooele, Vernal, Vermont, Barre, Bellows Falls, Bennington, Brattleboro, Burlington, Essex, Manchester, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Plymouth, Rutland, Saint Albans, Saint Johnsbury, Sharon, Winooski, Virginia, Abingdon, Alexandria, Bristol, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Danville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Hanover, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, Martinsville, New Market, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Reston, Richmond, Roanoke, Staunton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg, Winchester, Washington, Aberdeen, Anacortes, Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bremerton, Centralia, Coulee Dam, Coupeville, Ellensburg, Ephrata, Everett, Hoquiam, Kelso, Kennewick, Longview, Moses Lake, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Pasco, Point Roberts, Port Angeles, Pullman, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Yakima, West Virginia, Bath, Beckley, Bluefield, Buckhannon, Charles Town, Charleston, Clarksburg, Elkins, Fairmont, Grafton, Harpers Ferry, Hillsboro, Hinton, Huntington, Keyser, Lewisburg, Logan, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Moundsville, New Martinsville, Parkersburg, Philippi, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Romney, Shepherdstown, South Charleston, Summersville, Weirton, Welch, Wellsburg, Weston, Wheeling, White Sulphur Springs, Williamson, Wisconsin, Appleton, Ashland, Baraboo, Belmont, Beloit, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Hayward, Janesville, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lake Geneva, Madison, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menasha, Milwaukee, Neenah, New Glarus, Oconto, Oshkosh, Peshtigo, Portage, Prairie du Chien, Racine, Rhinelander, Ripon, Sheboygan, Spring Green, Stevens Point, Sturgeon Bay, Superior, Waukesha, Wausau, Wauwatosa, West Allis, West Bend, Wisconsin Dells, Wyoming, Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Douglas, Evanston, Gillette, Green River, Jackson, Lander, Laramie, Newcastle, Powell, Rawlins, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Ten Sleep, Thermopolis, Torrington, Worland. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-cities-and-towns-in-the-United-States-2023068)  

Why do I require the other parent’s Consent to relocate to the United States of America?

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 the United States of America. 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 the United States of America. Even if the minor child only wants to go for a short holiday to the United States of America, both guardians’ Consent would be required.

When would the other parent be seen as a guardian in the case of a relocation matter to the United States of America?

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 the United States of America. 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 the United States of America.

Mother’s Consent for relocation of the minor child to the United States of America

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 the United States of America, 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 the United States of America

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 the United States of America. 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 the United States of America.

Consent of unmarried fathers for the relocation of their minor children to the United States of America.

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 the United States of America?

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 the United States of America, 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 the United States of America, then the Court will make an Order similar to that which is shown below. [caption id="attachment_10842" align="alignnone" width="672"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10843" align="alignnone" width="660"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to the United States of America- USA – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]  

I want to relocate from South Africa to the United States of America (USA) with my minor child. The other parent does not want my child to relocate to the United States of America. What can I do? The United States of America is a popular destination to emigrate to. Continue Reading

Top tips and tricks from a Senior Family Law Advocate on claiming maintenance for a five-year-old child in Kuruman.

Child Maintenance is the right of the child, and not that of the parent. It is also not a privilege granted to parents who must pay it. It is their duty to pay child maintenance and support their children. Once the child is self-supporting (being able to care for him or herself), the obligation falls away. This can happen when the child is 18, 20, or even 30. It all depends on the circumstances of the case.

Claiming child maintenance for your child in Kuruman

Whether you claim child maintenance in Kuruman, or any other city in South Africa, the procedures would be the same. There are however two (2) courts that can deal with child maintenance matters. That is a divorce court, in a divorce matter, and a Child Maintenance Court. For this article, we will focus on claiming maintenance in a Maintenance Court matter in Kuruman.

The maintenance scenario – Kuruman South Africa

In this article, we will deal with the following fictitious scenario, in a child maintenance matter:

  1. The Child is seven years old and attends school in Kuruman
  2. The child is cared for by the mother who works in Kuruman
  3. The mother works and earns a Salary of R 10 000
  4. The father sees the child every second weekend. He also lives and works in Kuruman
  5. The child’s monthly expenses are R 6000 – 00 which includes food, clothing, accommodation, education, travel etc.
  6. The father earns a reasonable salary and can afford the R 20 000 – 00 per month
  7. The mother claims R 4 000 – 00 maintenance as the father earns double her salary

What is the first step the mother must take in claiming child maintenance?

The first thing the mother must do is work out exactly what the child costs by item. She breaks down the minor child’s living expenses, starting from rent or accommodation to groceries to school fees etc. Once she has done that, she would need to determine what exactly does the minor child cost per month, seeing that she will be asking the father to contribute towards that. As best as possible, she needs to collect proof of expenses. This can be in the form of receipts.

How does she start the legal process?

The mother now needs to approach the maintenance court in the area where she lives or works to lodge a complaint for child maintenance. If she lives or works in Kuruman, it would be the maintenance court in Kuruman. She will complete a Form A wherein she will provide all the expenses for her and the minor child. She would also have to stipulate her income. Once she completed the form and submitted it to the maintenance court, she must then follow the next step.

What do you do while waiting for the maintenance court date?

While you wait to be informed of the court date by the Maintenance Court of Kuruman, and up until the actual first court date, you need to ensure that you keep a record of all income and expenses for you and the child. This is very important as the court allocates maintenance based on recent income and expenses.

What happens at the first court appearance at the Kuruman Maintenance Court?

Once you have been notified of the maintenance court date by the Kuruman Maintenance Court, you need to ensure that you attend it. On that day, both you and the father of the child would appear before a maintenance officer. The maintenance officer would go through both your income and expenses as well as that of the father. If all the relevant information is not before the maintenance court, then the matter may be postponed in order for the parties to submit it.

The maintenance officer will try to settle the matter and have the parents come to an agreement regarding the amount of child maintenance to be paid. If they cannot come to an agreement regarding the child maintenance to be paid, the matter would have to proceed to a formal hearing or trial before a Magistrate.

How does the Maintenance Court hearing or trial work in Kuruman?

Essentially, the maintenance court is called upon to make a fair ruling regarding what is a fair amount of child support that needs to be paid. For that to happen, the parents would have to give evidence in that regard. The mother would present to the court what the child costs, what she contributes and what she requires the other parent to pay. The Father would have a right to question the mother and to present evidence as to why he cannot afford the amount requested or why he feels it is an unfair amount. The mother can they also question him.

At the end of the day, the Kuruman Maintenance Court would be able to properly determine what is a fair and adequate amount of child maintenance to pay after being presented will all relevant information. The Kuruman Maintenance Court should play an active role in determining what is a fair amount of child maintenance the father should pay.

The above child maintenance application principles 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, Kuruman, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

 

 

 

Top tips and tricks from a Senior Family Law Advocate on claiming maintenance for a five-year-old child in Kuruman. Child Maintenance is the right of the child, and not that of the parent. It is also not a privilege granted to parents who must pay it. It is their duty Continue Reading

Top tips and tricks from a Senior Family Law Advocate on claiming maintenance for a five-year-old child in Roodepoort.

Child Maintenance is the right of the child, and not that of the parent. It is also not a privilege granted to parents who must pay it. It is their duty to pay child maintenance and support their children. Once the child is self-supporting (being able to care for him or herself), the obligation falls away. This can happen when the child is 18, 20, or even 30. It all depends on the circumstances of the case.

Claiming child maintenance for your child in Roodepoort

Whether you claim child maintenance in Roodepoort, or any other city in South Africa, the procedures would be the same. There are however two (2) courts that can deal with child maintenance matters. That is a divorce court, in a divorce matter, and a Child Maintenance Court. For this article, we will focus on claiming maintenance in a Maintenance Court matter in Roodepoort.

The maintenance scenario – Roodepoort South Africa

In this article, we will deal with the following fictitious scenario, in a child maintenance matter:

  1. The Child is seven years old and attends school in Roodepoort
  2. The child is cared for by the mother who works in Roodepoort
  3. The mother works and earns a Salary of R 10 000
  4. The father sees the child every second weekend. He also lives and works in Roodepoort
  5. The child’s monthly expenses are R 6000 – 00 which includes food, clothing, accommodation, education, travel etc.
  6. The father earns a reasonable salary and can afford the R 20 000 – 00 per month
  7. The mother claims R 4 000 – 00 maintenance as the father earns double her salary

What is the first step the mother must take in claiming child maintenance?

The first thing the mother must do is work out exactly what the child costs by item. She breaks down the minor child’s living expenses, starting from rent or accommodation to groceries to school fees etc. Once she has done that, she would need to determine what exactly does the minor child cost per month, seeing that she will be asking the father to contribute towards that. As best as possible, she needs to collect proof of expenses. This can be in the form of receipts.

How does she start the legal process?

The mother now needs to approach the maintenance court in the area where she lives or works to lodge a complaint for child maintenance. If she lives or works in Roodepoort, it would be the maintenance court in Roodepoort. She will complete a Form A wherein she will provide all the expenses for her and the minor child. She would also have to stipulate her income. Once she completed the form and submitted it to the maintenance court, she must then follow the next step.

What do you do while waiting for the maintenance court date?

While you wait to be informed of the court date by the Maintenance Court of Roodepoort, and up until the actual first court date, you need to ensure that you keep a record of all income and expenses for you and the child. This is very important as the court allocates maintenance based on recent income and expenses.

What happens at the first court appearance at the Roodepoort Maintenance Court?

Once you have been notified of the maintenance court date by the Roodepoort Maintenance Court, you need to ensure that you attend it. On that day, both you and the father of the child would appear before a maintenance officer. The maintenance officer would go through both your income and expenses as well as that of the father. If all the relevant information is not before the maintenance court, then the matter may be postponed in order for the parties to submit it.

The maintenance officer will try to settle the matter and have the parents come to an agreement regarding the amount of child maintenance to be paid. If they cannot come to an agreement regarding the child maintenance to be paid, the matter would have to proceed to a formal hearing or trial before a Magistrate.

How does the Maintenance Court hearing or trial work in Roodepoort?

Essentially, the maintenance court is called upon to make a fair ruling regarding what is a fair amount of child support that needs to be paid. For that to happen, the parents would have to give evidence in that regard. The mother would present to the court what the child costs, what she contributes and what she requires the other parent to pay. The Father would have a right to question the mother and to present evidence as to why he cannot afford the amount requested or why he feels it is an unfair amount. The mother can they also question him.

At the end of the day, the Roodepoort Maintenance Court would be able to properly determine what is a fair and adequate amount of child maintenance to pay after being presented will all relevant information. The Roodepoort Maintenance Court should play an active role in determining what is a fair amount of child maintenance the father should pay.

The above child maintenance application principles 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, Roodepoort, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

 

 

 

Top tips and tricks from a Senior Family Law Advocate on claiming maintenance for a five-year-old child in Roodepoort. Child Maintenance is the right of the child, and not that of the parent. It is also not a privilege granted to parents who must pay it. It is their duty Continue Reading

Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Roodepoort Children’s Court

 

Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort. 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 Roodepoort or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Roodepoort Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Roodepoort, 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. Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort Children’s Court

The Roodepoort Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort.

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 Roodepoort Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort Children’s Court

Once the Roodepoort 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 Roodepoort 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, Roodepoort, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Roodepoort Children’s Court   Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Roodepoort or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you Continue Reading

Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court

 

Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba. 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 Phuthaditjhaba or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Phuthaditjhaba, 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. Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court

The Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba.

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 Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court

Once the Phuthaditjhaba 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 Phuthaditjhaba 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, Phuthaditjhaba, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Phuthaditjhaba Children’s Court   Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Phuthaditjhaba or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you Continue Reading

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