[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

Family Law Service – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf – Finding the best lawyer for you.

Choosing the right law firm (Attorney or Advocate) can be a daunting task in the intricate landscape of legal matters. Whether you’re facing a complex litigation case, navigating corporate law, or seeking legal assistance for personal issues, the decision of which law firm to engage is crucial. At the firm Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, we understand the significance of this decision, and we aim to demonstrate why choosing our firm can make all the difference.

Expertise and Specialisation

One of the primary reasons for choosing our law firm is our expertise and specialisation in diverse legal areas. As you can see from this website, advocate Muhammad Abduroaf practices in various fields of law. This breadth of expertise ensures that no matter the nature of your legal issue, you will have access to knowledgeable and experienced professionals who can provide tailored solutions.

Personalised Approach

We recognise that every client and every case is unique. That’s why we prioritise a personalised approach to legal representation. From the moment you engage our services, we take the time to understand your specific needs, concerns, and objectives. This allows us to develop strategies and solutions customised to your circumstances, ensuring the best possible outcome for your case.

Commitment to Excellence

At Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, excellence is not just a goal – it’s our standard. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal services, characterized by thorough research, meticulous attention to detail, and strategic thinking. Our track record of success speaks for itself, with numerous satisfied clients who have benefited from our dedication to excellence.

Responsive and Accessible

Legal matters can be stressful and overwhelming, so we prioritise responsiveness and accessibility. Our team is readily available to address your questions, concerns, and needs throughout your case. Whether you prefer to communicate via phone, WhatsApp, email, or in-person meetings, we are here to provide you with the support and guidance you need when you need it.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Legal representation shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why we are committed to providing cost-effective solutions that deliver value for our clients. We offer transparent billing practices and strive to minimise unnecessary expenses wherever possible, ensuring you receive top-notch legal services without the hefty price tag.

Ethical and Professional Conduct

Integrity and ethics are at the core of everything we do. Our team adheres to the highest standards of professional conduct, ensuring your case is handled with the utmost integrity, honesty, and discretion. You can trust that your legal matters will be handled with care and respect, and your confidentiality will always be protected. In conclusion, choosing the right law firm can significantly impact the outcome of your legal matters. At Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, we offer expertise, specialisation, personalised service, commitment to excellence, responsiveness, cost-effective solutions, and ethical conduct. These qualities set us apart and make us the ideal choice for clients seeking top-notch legal representation. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with your legal needs. If you require an Advocate Law Firm to assist you in your legal matter, feel free to contact us using the following details:
    • Tel.: 021 111 0090
    • Email.: [email protected]
We service clients throughout South Africa. These include: Cape Town Rustenburg Kimberley East London Nelspruit Polokwane Pietermaritzburg Bloemfontein Port Elizabeth Pretoria Durban Johannesburg

Family Law Service – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf – Finding the best lawyer for you. Choosing the right law firm (Attorney or Advocate) can be a daunting task in the intricate landscape of legal matters. Whether you’re facing a complex litigation case, navigating corporate law, or seeking legal assistance for personal Continue Reading

20 Relocation with my minor child to Japan, Tokyo (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 Tokyo, Japan 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 five or six) 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 Germiston or Pinetown, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Tokyo, Japan, 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 Tokyo, Japan? The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Japan, 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 Tokyo, Japan with my minor child? There is there another parent. To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport. Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Tokyo, Japan. What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Tokyo, Japan? 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 Tokyo, Japan, 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 Tokyo, Japan. 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 Tokyo, Japan, 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 Tokyo, Japan? If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Tokyo, Japan – 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 Tokyo, Japan, 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 Tokyo, Japan If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Tokyo, Japan 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.

20 Relocation with my minor child to Japan, Tokyo (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

Relocation with my minor child to Mexico, Cancún (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 Cancún, Mexico

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 Paarl or Musina, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Cancún, Mexico, 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 Cancún, Mexico?

The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Mexico, 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 Cancún, Mexico with my minor child? There is there another parent.

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

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

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 Cancún, Mexico, 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 Cancún, Mexico. 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 Cancún, Mexico, 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 Cancún, Mexico?

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

If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Cancún, Mexico 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 Mexico, Cancún (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. Continue Reading

Execute and Register your Ante-nuptial or Prenuptial Contract

Marriage is a big step for any two people to take. It is the start of a life together. Getting married is further a legal act where the law affords a married couple with certain rights and responsibilities. For example, the couple has a legal obligation to maintain each other. They may further not marry anyone else whilst so married. And of course, where this article comes into play, married spouses, unless they entered into an ante-nuptial, or prenuptial contract, have a joint estate. In short, there is no longer two separate estates, but one estate, belonging to both of them, in undivided shares.

Antenuptial or Prenuptial Contract

An Antenuptial or Prenuptial Contract is a legal contract, entered into between you and your intended spouse, outlining the matrimonial property regime, and any property or assets to be included or excluded therein. It is drafted and then executed before a Notary Public. The contract would then be registered at the Deeds Office. Remember, it must be executed before you get married either by you and your spouse or a person having a special power of attorney. If it is not done before you get married, you would be married in community of property. The only way to change that would be to approach the High Court for consent to change it. That can be very expensive.

Out of Community of Property

Now let’s say, you and your intended spouse do not want to have one estate, but continue having your own estates while you are so married. This would be useful if you are a business person. Should things go bad for one spouse, then only that estate would be affected. For example, in the case of insolvency, the creditor would only be able to sequestrate your personal estate and not that of the other. And if things go well, and you get hold of some wealth, the wealth would only belong to you and not your spouse. Should you divorce your spouse, then you walk away with only that what you own. For the latter scenario to apply, you should get married Out of Community of Property with the exclusion of the accrual regime. And for that, you need to enter into an antenuptial, or prenuptial contract with your spouse before you get married. Marriage Contract - Antenuptial - Prenuptial Agreement

Accrual Regime

Now let’s say you want to have two separate estates during your marriage. Should your spouse die, or you get divorced, you want to benefit from your spouse’s estate. In other words, you want to get half the difference between the two estates. If you want this to apply at divorce or death, then you need to enter into an antenuptial contract before you get married.

Antenuptial or Prenuptial Contract Registration

Experience taught us the many people leave this important aspect of their marriage until the very last. This is not a good idea as you do not want to rush into this. We offer professional and confidential advice to clients on the legal aspects in relation to ante-nuptial contracts. We would further draft your prenuptial contract and arrange with a Notary Public to execute and register it. You and your intended spouse any either meet with the Notary Public yourselves or provide a special power of attorney.

What does our prenuptial service include?

Our antenuptial contract service may include the following, depending on your requirements:
  • Basic and simplified advice on the three matrimonial property regimes;
  • The basic law on antenuptial contracts;
  • Drafting your antenuptial contract which you and your spouse are happy with;
  • Execution of your prenuptial contract with a Notary Public; and
  • The Registration of your ante-nuptial contract.
We want to make sure that you know what you are getting yourself in, as the agreement would regulate the proprietary aspect, for the entire duration of your marriage. This is the most important and referred to the document, during your marriage. Knowing the law always brings peace of mind. And with us, family matters. Kindly proceed with making payment to start the process. Once you have made the payment, sit back and wait for us to contact you once we received notification of payment. You may also proceed with completing the Online Antenuptial Contract Registration Form. Please note that our operating hours are from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, excluding public holidays. You are also welcome to contact us during our operating hours on 0211110090. Marriage Contract - Antenuptial - Prenuptial Agreement    

Execute and Register your Ante-nuptial or Prenuptial Contract Marriage is a big step for any two people to take. It is the start of a life together. Getting married is further a legal act where the law affords a married couple with certain rights and responsibilities. For example, the couple Continue Reading

Relocation with my minor child to Italy, Venice (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 Venice, Italy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Relocation with my minor child to Italy, Venice (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. Continue Reading

Do you require a video legal advice consultation?

Click here and schedule one today!