Family Law Legal services – Child custody, divorce and child maintenance

Our family law consultancy have a range of family law legal services for your convenience. Our specialized legal services are child maintenance, child custody and divorce. To top it off, we are situated in the heart of the buzzing CBD at Suit 702, 7th Floor, The Pinnacle, corner of Strand and burg Street, Cape Town, South Africa. [caption id="attachment_4566" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] Feel free to visit us at our offices in a safe, central setting and enjoy professional, confidential, legal consultations at its best. Our specialized legal services are:     Should any of the above legal services interest you, feel free to call our offices on 021 424 3487 and have our receptionist make an online appointment for you.

Child custody and legal advice…

Like any other family legal matter, child custody involves a number of factors. When it comes to the legal aspect, the Children’s Act is used as a guideline on how to go about parental legal rights. We’ve found child custody disputes to be very tragic legal battles because the children always happens to be the middle of it all. Because of this, the family legal expert at hand will always try to guide the matter in a legal manner that is best for the child and not the parents. This is where the expert legal advice and guidance of the legal expert comes in handy. [caption id="attachment_4567" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] Parents will have to make important, life changing decisions for the betterment of their children. With that being said, we’ve only found this possible when the parents understand how child custody in South Africa works. It is hereby essential that the parents make a choice that will impact their children the least. We therefore encourage parents to try and work in close collaboration so as to reach an agreement on visitation rights and the child’s residence.

Divorce and child custody…

[caption id="attachment_4568" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] It is often thought that the mother is generally more preferred to have custody of a child. In the eyes of the court, in a divorce, both parents are seen as equivalents unless a child would really be at risk in the care of the one other parent. The court will take a number of factors into consideration, especially the child’s well-being, when deciding on the child’s primary residence.

 An online family law consultancy…

As a family law consultancy, we understand the importance of moving with the dynamic nature of technology and therefore introduced our online operation. Other than being highly efficient and convenient, this method also shows that we are serious about making life easier for the layperson. [caption id="attachment_4569" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] Should you be residing out of the South Africa, consulting with us will not be a problem. We are able to conduct legal consultations online, face to face or Skype / video call for your convenience.

Child custody online legal appointment…

We are family law Consultancy that offers a range of legal services and products. Once the layperson sees a legal service that they require, they may call our offices for a legal appointment. Our friendly receptionist is always willing to go the extra mile by setting up the online legal appointment for you. [caption id="attachment_4570" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] Being a family law legal consultancy, means that we operate by professional legal consultation which is done by appointment only. Previously it was a mandatory for the layperson to have consultation form printed, fill out details manually then have it scanned back to us.  This is no longer the case. With our online appointment system, our receptionist sets the appointment up for you there and then while on the phone. No long, complicated details but just the basic information required for your professional legal consultation.  Call our offices today and have your legal appointment booked online immediately.

After the appointment for child custody…

It is crucial to note that having your legal consultation booked for child custody, does not mean that it is official. The person in question will have time to consult with their spouse or find out more about our expertise on our website. The time and date for consultation will be confirmed once payment has been made in advance date of the consultation to take place. [caption id="attachment_4571" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] During your legal consultation, you will have a well experienced family legal expert who will be advising and guiding you through the process.

Family law legal queries for child custody, divorce and child maintenance…

We are highly accommodating towards our clients and believe in making life easier for them. In the grander scheme of things, we have also initiated an online platform on our website. Yes, we’ve now made it possible for you to share your thoughts and post your legal questions. [caption id="attachment_4572" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] On an easy read website, on the home page, you will immediately notice the “Post a family law question on…” thus enabling the layperson to post their legal question in any family law topic they deem fit. These range from:
  1. Ante-nuptial Contracts
  2. Changing your Matrimonial Property Regime
  3. Child Maintenance / Support
  4. Child Custody / Visitation / Access
  5. Divorce
  6. Domestic Violence
  7. Parenting Plans
As this is not an online legal consultation, questions should therefore be kept short and to the point. So go ahead and connect with us today and have you online appointment made!

Family Law Legal services – Child custody, divorce and child maintenance

Our family law consultancy have a range of family law legal services for your convenience. Our specialized legal services are child maintenance, child custody and divorce. To top it off, we are situated in the heart of the buzzing CBD at Suit 702, 7th Floor, The Pinnacle, corner of Strand and burg Street, Cape Town, South Africa.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

Feel free to visit us at our offices in a safe, central setting and enjoy professional, confidential, legal consultations at its best. Our specialized legal services are:

 

 

Should any of the above legal services interest you, feel free to call our offices on 021 424 3487 and have our receptionist make an online appointment for you.

Child custody and legal advice…

Like any other family legal matter, child custody involves a number of factors. When it comes to the legal aspect, the Children’s Act is used as a guideline on how to go about parental legal rights.

We’ve found child custody disputes to be very tragic legal battles because the children always happens to be the middle of it all. Because of this, the family legal expert at hand will always try to guide the matter in a legal manner that is best for the child and not the parents. This is where the expert legal advice and guidance of the legal expert comes in handy.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

Parents will have to make important, life changing decisions for the betterment of their children. With that being said, we’ve only found this possible when the parents understand how child custody in South Africa works. It is hereby essential that the parents make a choice that will impact their children the least. We therefore encourage parents to try and work in close collaboration so as to reach an agreement on visitation rights and the child’s residence.

Divorce and child custody…

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

It is often thought that the mother is generally more preferred to have custody of a child. In the eyes of the court, in a divorce, both parents are seen as equivalents unless a child would really be at risk in the care of the one other parent. The court will take a number of factors into consideration, especially the child’s well-being, when deciding on the child’s primary residence.

 An online family law consultancy…

As a family law consultancy, we understand the importance of moving with the dynamic nature of technology and therefore introduced our online operation. Other than being highly efficient and convenient, this method also shows that we are serious about making life easier for the layperson.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

Should you be residing out of the South Africa, consulting with us will not be a problem. We are able to conduct legal consultations online, face to face or Skype / video call for your convenience.

Child custody online legal appointment…

We are family law Consultancy that offers a range of legal services and products. Once the layperson sees a legal service that they require, they may call our offices for a legal appointment. Our friendly receptionist is always willing to go the extra mile by setting up the online legal appointment for you.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

Being a family law legal consultancy, means that we operate by professional legal consultation which is done by appointment only. Previously it was a mandatory for the layperson to have consultation form printed, fill out details manually then have it scanned back to us.  This is no longer the case. With our online appointment system, our receptionist sets the appointment up for you there and then while on the phone. No long, complicated details but just the basic information required for your professional legal consultation.  Call our offices today and have your legal appointment booked online immediately.

After the appointment for child custody…

It is crucial to note that having your legal consultation booked for child custody, does not mean that it is official. The person in question will have time to consult with their spouse or find out more about our expertise on our website. The time and date for consultation will be confirmed once payment has been made in advance date of the consultation to take place.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

During your legal consultation, you will have a well experienced family legal expert who will be advising and guiding you through the process.

Family law legal queries for child custody, divorce and child maintenance…

We are highly accommodating towards our clients and believe in making life easier for them. In the grander scheme of things, we have also initiated an online platform on our website. Yes, we’ve now made it possible for you to share your thoughts and post your legal questions.

Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected]

On an easy read website, on the home page, you will immediately notice the “Post a family law question on…” thus enabling the layperson to post their legal question in any family law topic they deem fit. These range from:

  1. Ante-nuptial Contracts
  2. Changing your Matrimonial Property Regime
  3. Child Maintenance / Support
  4. Child Custody / Visitation / Access
  5. Divorce
  6. Domestic Violence
  7. Parenting Plans

As this is not an online legal consultation, questions should therefore be kept short and to the point. So go ahead and connect with us today and have you online appointment made!

Related Post

Factors to consider when searching for child custody, divorce or child maintenance lawyers?

[caption id="attachment_8801" align="alignleft" width="260"]Child Custody Lawyer, Divorce Lawyer, Cape Town Child Custody Lawyer, Divorce Lawyer, Cape Town[/caption] Not all lawyers are the same. Just as not all doctors are the same. You won’t go to a medical doctor who is a foot specialist (podiatrist) if you have a skin problem. For that, you will see a Dermatologist. This you would do, even if the podiatrist knows a bit about skin illnesses and diseases and is, nonetheless, a medical doctor. The same principles apply to the law and to lawyers. Various lawyers specialise in various fields of law. Some know more, and some know less. You won’t meet with a property lawyer if you have been accused of medical malpractice; or would you? You get the point we are trying to bring across.

Factors to consider when enlisting legal service from a legal practitioner

There are Important factors to consider when employing, or enlisting the services of a lawyer (attorney, advocate, legal consultant, etc.) A few of these factors as follows:

Location of the lawyer

This is not always an issue as the advice can be provided via a video call or telephonically. If it comes to litigation, it may be an issue. If you live in Cape Town and the lawyer in Johannesburg, there would be additional traveling costs to consider.

The Cost or Fee of the Lawyer

Not all legal practitioners charge the same for their services. Depending on the years of experience of the lawyer, he or she would charge a higher or lower fee. The same applies to his or her expertise. If he or she is an expert in a certain field of law, the fee may be higher than a generalist attorney. Therefore, if you do not need expert advice, consult with an advocate or attorney with enough experience to be able to assist you. [caption id="attachment_8800" align="alignleft" width="269"]Advocate, Attorney, Consultant Child Custody Lawyer, Divorce Lawyer, Cape Town[/caption]

Gender of the Attorney or Advocate

There is not much that can be said about this factor. Some people prefer one gender over the other. The bottom line is to be comfortable with the person you are consulting with. Many times, especially in litigation, you may see your lawyer a few times a month for up to two (2) years.

Availability of your lawyer

Some lawyers are extremely busy and in demand. Ensure that the lawyer you are making use of has the time to attend to your matter expeditiously.

Experience of the lawyer

There is no substitute for experience. If your matter is simple, then experience may not be a big issue. If your matter is complicated, more experience is required. Obviously, as outlined above, with experience, there comes a higher price tag.

The language which is spoken by the lawyer

It may be a good idea to make use of a lawyer who speaks your first language. If there is a language barrier, the lawyer may assume certain facts. The same applies to the client.

Don’t speak to me, speak to my lawyer

You often hear the phrase, “do not speak to me, speak to my lawyer.” This phrase although popular may only be useful in certain circumstances. Unless you have many lawyers at your disposal or one that knows it all an is an expert in all areas of law, it won’t always be a good referral. Chanting that phrase may not be a good idea.

Professional services come at a fee

Not everyone can afford the services of a lawyer (attorney or advocate). Legal practitioners are trained professionals, who would charge a fee for their time and services. The same as any professional or business would charge. Luckily the law does not force one to make use of an attorney or advocate when appearing in court or dealing with legal matters. You can represent yourself in a legal matter or conduct your own defense. But please, at no point do we say you should not seek legal advice or assistance. If you can afford it, or have access to it, obtaining sound legal advice and assistance in a matter is invaluable. Now let us move on to apply the aforementioned principles to sourcing a lawyer in relation to children matters. Here we are referring to matters regarding child custody, guardianship, maintenance and so on.

Matters regarding children

When it comes to matters regarding minor children, the same principles as above apply. Maybe more so, as children are represented by adults in litigation. Most of the time it’s their parents, and sometimes, their caregivers. Sound legal advice is therefore paramount. If you have access to or can afford the services of a lawyer, it is important that you make use of an experienced and knowledgeable family law practitioner. There are many subbranches of family law. For example, a divorce lawyer may not deal with issues regarding relocation or passport application consent. Some legal practitioners practice commercial law, criminal law, and others, property law. Although one can always learn the law, making use of a legal practitioner with limited experience in a family law matter could cost you your case.

Where to find a family law practitioner?

The internet is always a good place to start. Many law firms and consultancies have websites showcasing their experience and services. Sometimes you will hear of a law firm on the radio, or on social media. Word of mouth is also a good source. Notwithstanding where you find the details of a legal practitioner, you would like to find out if he or she is the right person for your case.

Questions to ask a lawyer at your first meeting

The most important thing to determine from your lawyer is whether not he or she is capable of handling the matter at hand. If the matter is simple, then an expert in litigation would not be appropriate. However, if your matter calls for a court of law to make a decision on the matter, then a legal practitioner who has sufficient experience in litigation would be appropriate. This would be especially so when dealing with an urgent child custody matter. Therefore, you need to ensure that the lawyer you are consulting with is the type of lawyer you will require.

Practical example on which lawyer to source

Let’s say you are involved in a custody dispute. You and the other parent of the child just separated. The other parent now decides to leave the country with a minor child without your consent. Let’s say, in this case, it is the mother. Only the mother’s name is on the birth certificate. She books the ticket for her and the child and tells the authorities she does not know who the father is. She is therefore set to leave the country the next day. The father hears about this and does not want the child to leave the Republic of South Africa. He has full parental responsibilities and rights as he was actively involved in the child’s life since her birth. In this case, an urgent court application should be made. Here an experienced attorney and advocate should be approached to stop the mother from leaving the country with the minor child. After the lawyers stopped the mother from leaving the country, a few days later, she applies for child maintenance. Both parents are salary earners, and the child’s’ expenses are basic. Under these circumstances, a reasonably experienced legal practitioner would be appropriate. They are many other factors to consider when employing the services of a lawyer. This would depend on the nature of your case. 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              

Relocation with my minor child to China, Guangzhou (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 Guangzhou, China

If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages one or two) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Randburg or Lebowakgomo, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Guangzhou, China, 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 Guangzhou, China?

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

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

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

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 Guangzhou, China, 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 Guangzhou, China. 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 Guangzhou, China, 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 Guangzhou, China?

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

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

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Click here and schedule one today!