Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Johannesburg Children’s Court Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Johannesburg or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you Continue Reading
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Best advice on finding a top divorce lawyer for your divorce case in Bergvliet, Cape Town
Do you live in Bergvliet, and are you considering divorcing your spouse? Or have you been threatened with divorce? Either way, a divorce is a legal matter, and it is best to find sound legal advice or assistance. Furthermore, divorcing someone has potential severe legal consequences you may not know of. The first consequence, of course, is that you are no longer married to your former spouse, and there is no legal obligation to maintain each other (unless you qualify for alimony). You may also not inherit from your former spouse’s intestate. Lastly, and obviously, you are free to marry someone else. However, do you know of the proprietary (property) consequences of getting a divorce? What about the assets and debt you and your spouse incurred in Bergvliet or elsewhere during your marriage? Do you know what should happen to it? If not, it is best you find out about these critical aspects and others before getting divorced. Then there is the issue of parental responsibilities and rights after the divorce should there be minor children involved. This article aims to provide guidance on finding the best attorney or advocate for your divorce matter that can adequately and properly advise you or handle your divorce. The advice would apply whether you live in Bergvliet or anywhere else in South Africa. The issues we shall deal with are the following.- Gender of the Advocate or attorney;
- Location of the Advocate or attorney;
- Experience of the Advocate or attorney;
- Costs of the Advocate or Attorney; and
- The personality of the Advocate or Attorney.
What is the best gender of the Advocate or Attorney I need to use for my divorce? Is a male or female better?
Generally, the gender of your Advocate or Attorney should not play a role at all in a legal matter. However, depending on your background and the issues involved in your divorce, you may prefer a specific gender where you may feel more comfortable. A female who has been emotionally, physically and psychologically abused may be more comfortable with a female Attorney or Advocate. However, the same female client may prefer a male Advocate or Attorney. No more will be said on this issue.What is the ideal office location of the Advocate or attorney? Does it have to be in Bergvliet?
The location or office of your attorney or Advocate is essential if you wish to consult with them in person. It is also ideal, but not necessary, for their offices to be close to the Court where the divorce would be handled. However, many lawyers make use of correspondent lawyers for this purpose. Furthermore, location should not be an issue if you want a specific lawyer to handle your case. This is so especially seeing that people are making use of virtual meetings.What level of experience should the Advocate or attorney have?
It is important to remember that not all legal matters require the best lawyer. If your divorce is straightforward, finding the best lawyer in the field is unnecessary. The best may be very busy and lack the time to give your case the attention it deserves. However, if your matter is complicated, then in that case, the most experienced and best lawyer out there is not warranted.What about the Costs of an Attorney or Advocate?
For many, the costs of the Attorney or Advocate are the most crucial consideration when it comes to enlisting their services. Usually, the more experienced the Attorney or Advocate, the more they would charge. Another aspect that affects costs is the nature of the expertise of the Advocate or Attorney. If the issues in your matter are highly technical and complicated, an Advocate or Attorney with expertise and experience may charge more.What about the personality of the Advocate or Attorney?
Many may discard the Advocate or Attorney’s personality as not important. However, it is essential to note that it may be time to change lawyers if you do not get along well with the Advocate or Attorney because of their personality. A lawyer and their client would develop a professional relationship in family law matters. This is especially so when the lawyer must discuss many personal issues regarding you, your marriage, children, finance, spouse etc. If you cannot get along well with your Attorney or Advocate, you may not divulge important information relevant to your case.What is our best advice to a client looking for an Advocate or Attorney in a divorce matter?
Considering all the factors mentioned above, before enlisting the services of an Advocate or Attorney, ensure you enlist the right one. Do not look for the most experience or best, or the top one in family law. You may have to change lawyers if you do so and cannot afford legal bills. Therefore consider the above and any other factors that you may consider necessary when deciding on enlisting the services of an Advocate or an Attorney. Best of luck.
Best advice on finding a top divorce lawyer for your divorce case in Bergvliet, Cape Town Do you live in Bergvliet, and are you considering divorcing your spouse? Or have you been threatened with divorce? Either way, a divorce is a legal matter, and it is best to find sound Continue Reading
Evictions in South Africa
by Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf Evicting someone in South Africa is strictly governed by South Africa’s laws and regulations. The Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE Act) provides a legal framework for evictions, which should only be pursued under lawful circumstances such as non-payment of rent or violating lease agreements. The Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act is an act of the Parliament of South Africa which came into effect on 5 June 1998 and which sets out to prevent arbitrary evictions. It’s important to note that unlawful removal can result in legal consequences for the landlord.The Eviction process in South Africa
Here is a general guide on how to approach the eviction process in South Africa: When considering eviction, it’s important to follow the legal process diligently and establish valid legal grounds. Common reasons include non-payment of rent, breach of lease terms, or the landlord’s need for the property for personal use. Before evicting your tenant, give written notice stating the reasons for eviction and the time frame within which the tenant should remedy the situation.The Court Process of Evictions
If the tenant fails to comply with the notice, the landlord must apply to the local Magistrate’s Court or High Court for an eviction order. The court will consider the case based on the evidence provided and the merits of the situation. The landlord must prepare a Notice of Motion and Founding Affidavit outlining the reasons for eviction, any relevant evidence, and the steps taken to resolve the matter. It is best to make use of a Legal Practitioner (Advocate or Attorney) It’s important to ensure that the tenant receives copies of the court documents, including the Notice of Motion and Founding Affidavit, by legal requirements. This is typically done through a sheriff of the Court. Both parties will have the opportunity to present their cases at the court hearing. If you are the tenant and of the view that you are a lawful occupier, you should state so. The court will decide based on the evidence presented and the legal merits of the situation. If the court grants an eviction order, it will specify the date the tenant must vacate the premises.After the Eviction Order is granted
Once the eviction is completed, the landlord can take possession of the property. The sheriff will execute the eviction order if the tenant does not comply voluntarily. Contact Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf if you require any assistance. [caption id="attachment_11554" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Evictions in South Africa[/caption]
Evictions in South Africa by Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf Evicting someone in South Africa is strictly governed by South Africa’s laws and regulations. The Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE Act) provides a legal framework for evictions, which should only be pursued under lawful circumstances Continue Reading
I want to create a family trust. What are the requirements?
In South Africa, a trust is a legal arrangement that allows for the separation of ownership and control of assets. The trust is created by a founder who transfers assets to a trustee, who then manages and administers those assets for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The trust deed is the legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of the trust. Here are key elements and steps involved in how a trust works in South Africa:- Formation: A trust is formed when a trust deed is drafted and signed by the founder and the trustee. The trust deed specifies the purpose of the trust, the beneficiaries, and the powers and duties of the trustee.
- Trustee: The trustee is a crucial figure in a trust arrangement. They are responsible for managing and administering the trust assets in accordance with the trust deed and for the benefit of the beneficiaries. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
- Beneficiaries: These are individuals or entities that stand to benefit from the trust. The trust deed will outline the rights and entitlements of the beneficiaries. It can be a fixed list of individuals or a class of persons, such as family members or charitable organizations.
- Assets: The founder transfers assets into the trust, effectively removing them from personal ownership. These assets can include property, investments, cash, or any other form of property.
- Administration: The trustee is responsible for managing the trust assets, investing them wisely, and distributing income or capital to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust deed.
- Duration: Trusts can be either inter vivos (created during the founder’s lifetime) or testamentary (created through a will and activated upon the founder’s death). They can also be discretionary, where the trustee has discretion in making distributions, or fixed, where the benefits are predetermined.
- Registration: The Master of the High Court is involved in the registration of a Trust, and certain information is submitted for record-keeping purposes.
- Taxation: Trusts in South Africa are subject to taxation. The Income Tax Act provides specific rules for the taxation of trusts, and it’s essential to comply with these regulations.
It’s crucial to seek professional legal and financial advice when setting up a trust in South Africa to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and to achieve the intended goals of the trust arrangement. Laws and regulations may evolve, so staying informed about any changes is essential.
I want to create a family trust. What are the requirements? In South Africa, a trust is a legal arrangement that allows for the separation of ownership and control of assets. The trust is created by a founder who transfers assets to a trustee, who then manages and administers those Continue Reading
Do you own Divorce (DIY) No lawyers needed!
If you want to get divorced from your spouse, I strongly advise that your approach a legal practitioner, or an attorney to attend to it on your behalf. This I would implore even more under the following circumstances:- There will be a dispute over care and visitation rights over the child/children
- One of the parties will be applying for forfeiture of patrimonial benefits from a marriage in community of property;
- The joint estate is huge or complicated; or
- The other party will be making use of legal representation.
If, however, you would like to know the general procedures on how to go about a divorce, they are listed summarily below. There are many rules that regulate divorce processes and the summary below does exclude certain of them. These include exceptions, strikeouts, compelling compliance, service addresses etc. Other matters incidental to divorce proceedings, e.g. interim arrangements, pending the divorce regarding maintenance for you or your children and care and contact regarding children are not dealt with. Therefore, please consult a legal practitioner or the divorce court throughout your divorce process should you decide to do the divorce yourself.Summons and Particulars of Claim
A summons needs to be drafted which will be issued by the divorce court to commence the divorce process. It should have on it the details of the court you will be issuing divorce, details of the parties, e.g. names, occupation, and address etc. Every High Court in the area where you live has the authority to attend to a divorce. There are however specialized divorce courts that may attend to a divorce as well. You should then draft particulars of claim, outlining relevant matters concerning the marriage, children, reasons for wanting a divorce and what do you want the court to grant you in a divorce order. These particulars of claim you attach to the summons. Here is an example of a summons and particulars of claim for a divorce for a couple married in community of property with no children getting a divorce in the High Court in Cape Town.Summons
IN THE HIGH COURT OF South Africa CASE NO.: (Western Cape High Court, Cape Town) In the matter between: John Smith (Plaintiff) And Jane Smith (Defendant) To the Sheriff or his/her Deputy INFORM Jane Smith (hereinafter referred to as the defendant an adult female, self-employed as a singer currently residing at 12 Club Road, Waterfront, Western Cape and whose full and further particulars are unknown, That: John Smith (hereafter referred to as the plaintiff), an adult male self-employed painter residing at Garden Road, Cape Town, Western Cape, Hereby institutes an action against her in which action the Plaintiff claims the relief and on the grounds set out in the particulars annexed hereto marked A. INFORM the Defendant further that if she disputes the claim and wishes to defend the action she shall (a) within 10 (TEN) days after the service upon her of this Summons, file with the Registrar of this Court at Kieron Street, Cape Town a notice of her intention to defend, and serve a copy thereof on the Plaintiff, on which notice shall be given an address (not being a post office or poste restante) referred to in Rule 19(3) for the service upon the Defendant of all notices and documents in the action; and (b) thereafter, and within 21 (TWENTY-ONE) court days after the filing and serving such notice of intention to defend as aforesaid, file with the Registrar and serve upon the Plaintiff a Plea, Exception, Notice to strike out, with or without a counterclaim. INFORM the Defendant further that if she fails to file and serve notice as aforesaid, judgment as claimed may be given against her without further notice to her, or if having filed and served such notice, she fails to plead, except, make application to strike out or counterclaim, judgment may be given against her. INFORM the Defendant also that if she does not intend to defend the action, she will inform the Registrar in writing to enable the Registrar to, on request in writing from Plaintiff, immediately set the matter down for hearing. AND IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER serve on the Defendant a copy of this Summons and return same with whatsoever you have done thereupon. DATED AT CAPE TOWN ON THIS ____ THE DAY OF _________2018. ……………………………………………………………… REGISTRAR OF THE HIGH COURT ……………………………………………………………… Plaintiff in Person __________________________ Particulars of Claim “A”
(A) Parties Plaintiff is John Smith, an adult male Bus Driver, residing at no. 5 Truck Apartments, Cape Town, Western Cape. The defendant is Jane Smith (born Smit) an adult female, employed as a hairdresser, residing at Hectic House, 2 Main Road, Strand, Western Cape. (B) Marriage
Plaintiff and Defendant (hereafter referred to together as “the Parties”) married each other on 10 August 2003 at Pretoria, in community of property and the marriage still subsists. Kindly find attached hereto a copy of the marriage certificate marked “MC”. The Parties are domiciled within the area of jurisdiction of this honourable court. There are no children born out of the marriage. (C) Irretrievable breakdown
The marriage between the Parties has irretrievably broken down and there are no reasonable prospects of the restoration of a normal marital relationship between them in that: Defendant left the common home approximately 2 years ago; There is no love and affection, understanding and communication between the parties; The Parties are incompatible and continue arguing; and Plaintiff has a gambling problem. (D) Prayer
WHEREFORE Plaintiff prays for Judgement against Defendant in the following terms: A decree of divorce; Each party retain the property in his or her possession as his or her sole property; Cost if this action is opposed; and Further and/ or alternative relief. DATED AT CAPE TOWN ON THIS THE ______ DAY OF______ 2018. _____________________________ Per: John Smith (Plaintiff in Person) Service Address Once you have your summons and particulars of claim in order, make three (3) copies of your set of documents and have it issued at court.Issuing & Service of Summons
Once you are at the court, go to the clerk of the court and have your documents issued. The clerk will sign the summons and provide a case number and write it on the summons. You should then take the original and a copy (both must be signed and stamped by the clerk of the court) and take it to the sheriff which serves documents where your spouse works of lives. You can ask the clerk of the court for that details. The extra—copy of the summons & particulars of claim you keep for your file and records.Notice of intention to defend
Once the sheriff has served the documents, your spouse has a defined period to inform your whether he or she will be defending the divorce. This information is outlined in the summons as shown above.Plea to particulars of claim
Once you received notice of your spouse’s intention to defend the divorce, about a months later, your spouse or their attorney will serve and file a plea. The plea will outline which parts of your particulars of claim your spouse agrees (or disagree) with which would give a direction of what to prove in court.Counter Claim
Your spouse might want to file a counterclaim. In the same way, which you outlined your case as to what you want from the court and the reasons therefore in your particulars of claim, your spouse can file on your as well a counterclaim. A counterclaim might still be filed if your spouse agrees to a divorce, by maybe wants care of the children, but in your particulars of claim, you asked for care. You should then within 10 (ten) days plead to the counterclaim the same manner in which your spouse pleaded to your particulars of claim.Obtaining a Trial date
Once you received the plea, without a counterclaim, or have pleaded to your spouse’s counterclaim, you should then approach the clerk of the court for a trial date. This you or your spouse may do.Discovery
While you waiting for a trial date, and way before the trial, you may ask or may be asked to provide, under oath, a schedule of books and documents in your possession and under your control relating to the divorce. This could be policy documents, deeds etc, and which you or your spouse might want to make use of at trial. Once you received this schedule you may inspect and request copies of the documents.Divorce day / Trial
If your spouse does not defend the divorce within the time period, go back to court and ask for an unopposed divorce date and attend to your divorce on that date. If, however, your divorce is defended, a trial will ensure. During the trial, each party will prove his or her case. Witnesses will be called and at the end, the Magistrate or Judge will deliver the verdict. Best of luck, and please, don’t take my word, contact a legal practitioner should you decide to get divorced. Sharing is Caring
This and other articles and posts found on this website are written by Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf to assist people with various family law related issues they may have. If you find any of our articles, free resources and posts interesting, or possibly useful to others, please like and share it on Social Media by clicking on the icons below. For more interesting articles and information on Family Law, view our articles and Q&A page. If you have a family law related legal issue and you want someone to answer or reply to it, feel free to post it on our Family Law Blog. Therefore, kindly like and share. Should you require any other legal services and advice, not related to family law, visit Private Legal.
Do you own Divorce (DIY) No lawyers needed! If you want to get divorced from your spouse, I strongly advise that your approach a legal practitioner, or an attorney to attend to it on your behalf. This I would implore even more under the following circumstances: There will be a Continue Reading
I require a law firm to assist me in my relocation matter to the High Court regarding my minor child.
What are your contact details?
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]
The services you may instruct the firm of Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf to represent you in are as follows:High Court matters
- Civil claim surrounding money;
- Interdicts;
- Divorces (Opposed and unopposed);
- Child Custody and guardianship disputes;
- Relocation of minor children;
- Various criminal matters;
- Minor children surname changes;
- Appeals and Reviews; and
- Other matters.
Magistrates Court matters
- Civil claim surrounding money;
- Various criminal matters;
- Interdicts;
- Maintenance Court matters;
- Divorces Court matters (Opposed and unopposed)’
- Children’s Court matter; and
- Other matters.
Constitutional Court
- Appeals
Supreme Court of Appeal
- Appeals and Reviews
We service clients throughout South Africa. These include: Cape Town Rustenburg Kimberley East London Nelspruit Polokwane Pietermaritzburg Bloemfontein Port Elizabeth Pretoria Durban Johannesburg
I require a law firm to assist me in my relocation matter to the High Court regarding my minor child. What are your contact details? 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 Continue Reading
Parental Rights of Divorced Muslim parents who were only married in terms of Muslim Rights (Updated)
When Muslim parents divorce, either via a Talak or Faskh, there remains the unresolved issue of their respective parental rights and responsibilities to their children. In other words, with whom should the child reside, and what type of visitation rights should the other parent have? Then there is the issue of child maintenance, parental guardianship consent and so on. Parents married in terms of South African civil law have the advantage of having the civil divorce court deal with the issue of access (contact) and custody (care). The civil divorce court is obliged to do this before pronouncing a final decree of divorce. This is however not the case of a Talak or Faskh. As you would see later, we suggest that Muslim divorced parents enter into a parenting plan.Divorced Muslim Fathers’ parental rights
Muslim fathers, who were married in terms of Muslim Rites, have just as many rights as the mothers, to their children. This is so notwithstanding them having been married in terms of Islamic Rights only (and not civilly). From a South African Legal perspective, they are both co-holders of parental responsibilities and rights with regard to their minor children. What often happens is that one parent refuses the other reasonable contact to the child after the divorce. Or he or she may take the stance that he or she is the sole decider as to where and when the other parent may have contact with the children. This is not lawful and clearly not in the children’s best interests. The end result is, for example, the father takes the mother to the High Court, or the Children’s Court and the Judge or Magistrate confirms the father’s rights which he had all along. This can turn out to be very expensive, and draining on the children and parents alike. Attorneys and Advocates may be used and simple issues get battled out in the public domain. A more responsible approach needs to be followed which is suggested next. What should Muslim parents do after they separated?
Should parents who were married in terms of Muslim Rites and have a child or children together, separate, it is suggested that they, as soon as possible, try to agree on a parenting plan and have it registered with the Office of the Family Advocate or have it made an Order of Court. This option became available since 1 April 2010 with the coming into effect of section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. If a parent refuses to try to agree on a parenting plan, the Court needs to be approached if issues cannot be resolved. This situation is best to be avoided. The parenting plan would be a document which the parents themselves decided upon and not dictated to them by the Court. Of course, the parenting plan has to be in the child or children’s best interests. By parents following the parenting plan route, they would keep their personal issues out of the realm of the Court and concentrate on being the best parents they can be for their children. This is so, notwithstanding their relationship with each other has severed.Drafting a Parenting Plan
A well-drafted parenting plan would provide for issues, starting from the date of its drafting, until the children are adults. Suppose the children are toddlers when the parents separated; the parenting plan would need to deal with issues that could arise when it comes to schooling, extramural activities and issues of consent for a passport and so on. As the child gets older, he or she may want to spend more time with the other parent. This needs to be dealt with in the parenting plan, if applicable. The parenting plan can also make reference to a parenting facilitator or coordinator to assist the parents in resolving disputes in the future.Who can assist you with a parenting plan?
Social workers, psychologists and family mediators are well suited to assist parents with parenting plans. Other suitably qualified persons would be attorneys and advocates. If the person has the necessary training and experience to assist you, we advise that you make use of him or her to assist you in obtaining a parenting plan. We are certain that you found the above article useful and interesting. Please consider sharing it on the share buttons below. They include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more. Someone may find it useful as well. Should you require business advice or services, feel free to click on these links: Business SA | Private Legal | Envirolaws
Parental Rights of Divorced Muslim parents who were only married in terms of Muslim Rights (Updated) When Muslim parents divorce, either via a Talak or Faskh, there remains the unresolved issue of their respective parental rights and responsibilities to their children. In other words, with whom should the child reside, 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
- Tel.: 021 111 0090
- Email.: [email protected]
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
Parents with Psychiatric disorders
No parent is perfect. And no one can help it if they suffer from some psychological disorder. However, when it comes to parenting, mental health does play a role regarding the issue of child custody. In other words, a parent with a psychological disorder would find it hard to be a child’s primary care giver, if the child would best be cared for by the other parent. This is assuming that the other parent in this case is capable of caring for the child. This article is connected to the topic Child Custody and Visitation Court Applications. It may be useful to read up on it before proceeding to read further. Otherwise, read on to find out more about parental child abuse and the legal aspects surrounding it.When should you consult with a lawyer?
Seeing that you are dealing with parental rights and responsibilities, it is best to first try to resolve issues with the other parent. If that does not work, then try mediation. Should that still not work, see a lawyer who would advise you on what would be best for you and your child. If need be, a Court application would have to be launched.What about a psychological evaluation of a parent?
It often happens that a parent would accuse the other parent of having a mental, or psychiatric problem. The most common psychological condition in our legal practice, in relation to child custody matters, are bo-polar and schizophrenia. These conditions can be managed by medication. However, if the patient fails to use the treatment prescribed, the consequences could be detrimental to parenting. Therefore, one should consider the possibility of the psychological condition manifesting itself in an unfortunate situation. In most cases, the Court would want to hear from medical experts.An example of psychological disorder in relation to parenting
In one case, a mother has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) by a psychiatrist. She had an excessive fear of germs and dirt and the compulsion to repeatedly wash and clean herself, and items she uses, to ward off dirt and germs. She also has a compulsion to avoid possible contaminants in her daily life. For example, she would not touch anything unless she is convinced it is clean. The father of their child was of the view that the mother’s problem detrimentally affected their family daily life, and the well-being of their child. According to him, her condition has caused him to care for the child from when he came from work until when he left to work the next day, as well as the entire weekend.Prescription medication
The mother used prescription medication for her condition. It was Leximil, which is an anti-depressant, and Zyprexa which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These medications make her want to sleep during the day and for prolonged periods during the evening. It also made her very lethargic. She cannot wake up to attend to the child during the evening at all as she was in a very deep sleep. She also struggled to get out of bed in the mornings.Psychotic behavior
The mother further displayed psychotic behaviour in that she tried to stab the father and told him afterwards it was not her in that it was another persona inside of her who was responsible. She also believed that spirits spoke to her and guided her.The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Overpowers her
The mother’s condition causes her mind to focus on the OCD and it over powers her and she has a disregard for those surrounding her. She was totally incapable of taking care of the minor child during the day, let alone during the evenings. To give an example, she would wash a used glass for about 30 times with detergents and put it away, and then her mind will tell her it is not clean, and then she will wash it again another 30 times, again with detergents. In the process, she would use a half a bottle of washing liquid. Thereafter, she would go to the bathroom and wash her hands for about 20 minutes. She would soap her hands, wash off the soap and do it again until her mind is satisfied. She utilises about 2 to 4 bars of soap a day. Packaged food would be left to become expired as she would believe it is contaminated.Neglect of Hygiene
Other than neglecting the minor child when she is busy with her rituals, she would also not want to attend to her as it would cause her to “dirty” herself. For example, if a child had to dirty her dyper, the mother would have to weigh the issues of cleaning the child and dirtying her hands and spending a long period of time washing herself afterwards. She would then just leave the child the way she is and not touch her for fear of contamination. The same would apply to making food, which would mean cleaning afterwards. If an unknown third party touches her child, the mother’s brain would tell her that the child has been contaminated and her clothes and bodies need to be washed immediately.Wastage by the mother
Furthermore, until the child is washed, no one can touch her. And anything the child touches becomes contaminated in the mind of the Mother and needs to be washed. Another example was when the mother filled up the kettle, and emptying it about 30 times and then be convinced that it is full, boil the water and then start all over again with filling up the kettle and emptying it. She would leave the child to her own demise whilst the OCD’s consumes her. This is very dangerous for the child. She needs to shower a few times a day, which she does for long periods at a time. This would cause her to wash until there is no longer hot water, and then continue washing when the water is hot again. The mother’s OCD therefore causes her to neglect the minor child when in her care and all her focus is on her compulsions. If the OCD becomes too much, she would resort to sleeping and deal with the challenges later. Her entire day would be consumed by the OCD.How would this affect the father’s rights of custody?
Considering the example above, should the parents separate, there is as strong possibility that the father be made the minor child’s primary care giver. This would be in her best interests.Sharing is Caring
This and other articles and posts found on this website are written by Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf to assist people with various family law related issues they may have. If you find any of our articles, free resources and posts interesting, or possibly useful to others, please like and share it on Social Media by clicking on the icons below. For more interesting articles and information on Family Law, view our articles and Q&A page. If you have a family law related legal issue and you want someone to answer or reply to it, feel free to post it on our Family Law Blog. Therefore, kindly like and share. Should you require any other legal services and advice, not related to family law, visit Private Legal.
Parents with Psychiatric disorders No parent is perfect. And no one can help it if they suffer from some psychological disorder. However, when it comes to parenting, mental health does play a role regarding the issue of child custody. In other words, a parent with a psychological disorder would find Continue Reading
32 Relocation with my minor child to South Korea, Seoul (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 Seoul, South Korea 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 nine or ten) 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 Soweto or Polokwane, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Seoul, South Korea, 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 Seoul, South Korea? The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to South Korea, 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 Seoul, South Korea 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 Seoul, South Korea. What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Seoul, South Korea? 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 Seoul, South Korea, 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 Seoul, South Korea. 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 Seoul, South Korea, 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 Seoul, South Korea? If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Seoul, South Korea – 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 Seoul, South Korea, 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 Seoul, South Korea If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Seoul, South Korea 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.
32 Relocation with my minor child to South Korea, Seoul (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 Continue Reading