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

Appeals and Reviews Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf South Africa Best 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:

The Firm: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

Trust Account Advocate. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a registered firm with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa. It holds offices in Cape Town. However represents clients all over South Africa. If required, he would travel out to your province to attend to you matter. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a Trust Account practice, which means it may take instructions directly from members of the public. This is compared to referral advocates who may not take instructions directly from members of the public. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s practice allows clients to deposit money into their Trust Account. To do so, it needs to hold a valid fidelity fund certificate, which it does. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf may appear on its client’s behalf in all courts in the Republic of South Africa. These include the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, all High Court and magistrates courts in all provinces in South Africa. 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

Consult with, or Instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

If you would like to have a legal advice consultation with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, feel free to use the Our Lawyer online appointment form by clicking here. Should you already have consulted with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf and wish to mandate and instruct the firm, kindly proceed with completing the mandate form using this mandate link. 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.

Appeals and Reviews Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf South Africa Best 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:

The Firm: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

Trust Account Advocate. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a registered firm with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa. It holds offices in Cape Town. However represents clients all over South Africa. If required, he would travel out to your province to attend to you matter. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a Trust Account practice, which means it may take instructions directly from members of the public. This is compared to referral advocates who may not take instructions directly from members of the public. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s practice allows clients to deposit money into their Trust Account. To do so, it needs to hold a valid fidelity fund certificate, which it does. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf may appear on its client’s behalf in all courts in the Republic of South Africa. These include the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, all High Court and magistrates courts in all provinces in South Africa. 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

Consult with, or Instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

If you would like to have a legal advice consultation with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, feel free to use the Our Lawyer online appointment form by clicking here. Should you already have consulted with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf and wish to mandate and instruct the firm, kindly proceed with completing the mandate form using this mandate link. 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.

Appeals and Reviews Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf South Africa Best

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:

The Firm: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

Trust Account Advocate. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a registered firm with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa. It holds offices in Cape Town. However represents clients all over South Africa. If required, he would travel out to your province to attend to you matter. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a Trust Account practice, which means it may take instructions directly from members of the public. This is compared to referral advocates who may not take instructions directly from members of the public.

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s practice allows clients to deposit money into their Trust Account. To do so, it needs to hold a valid fidelity fund certificate, which it does. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf may appear on its client’s behalf in all courts in the Republic of South Africa. These include the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, all High Court and magistrates courts in all provinces in South Africa.

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

Consult with, or Instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

If you would like to have a legal advice consultation with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, feel free to use the Our Lawyer online appointment form by clicking here. Should you already have consulted with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf and wish to mandate and instruct the firm, kindly proceed with completing the mandate form using this mandate link.

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.

Appeals and Reviews Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf South Africa Best

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:

The Firm: Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

Trust Account Advocate. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a registered firm with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa. It holds offices in Cape Town. However represents clients all over South Africa. If required, he would travel out to your province to attend to you matter. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a Trust Account practice, which means it may take instructions directly from members of the public. This is compared to referral advocates who may not take instructions directly from members of the public.

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s practice allows clients to deposit money into their Trust Account. To do so, it needs to hold a valid fidelity fund certificate, which it does. Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf may appear on its client’s behalf in all courts in the Republic of South Africa. These include the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, all High Court and magistrates courts in all provinces in South Africa.

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

Consult with, or Instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

If you would like to have a legal advice consultation with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, feel free to use the Our Lawyer online appointment form by clicking here. Should you already have consulted with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf and wish to mandate and instruct the firm, kindly proceed with completing the mandate form using this mandate link.

We service clients throughout South Africa. These include:

Cape Town

Rustenburg

Kimberley

East London

Nelspruit

Polokwane

Pietermaritzburg

Bloemfontein

Port Elizabeth

Pretoria

Durban

Johannesburg

Related Post

What all South African expatriates (expats) should know when it comes to family law matters connected to their homeland – Divorce – Custody – Maintenance

In most countries around the world, you would find South African expatriates. They are either living in another country due to work, or other family responsibilities. Whatever the reason being for living abroad, they still consider themselves South Africans, and South Africa is their home. When someone leaves South Africa to work in another country, he or she may still have a very strong connection with South Africa from a family legal point of view. He or she may have children or a spouse still living in South Africa.  Due to the connection to South Africa, various legal issues may arise. One of those issues could possibly be wanting to divorce the spouse living in South Africa or to have more visitation or access rights to the child living in South Africa. Then there is the possibility of wishing to claim maintenance from a spouse living in South Africa while the child is living abroad with the expatriate parent.

The scope of this article in relation to South African expatriates

This article will deal with three important legal aspects, the first is that of a divorce, the second is that of child custody or guardianship disputes, and the third is that of claiming maintenance from a parent in South Africa.

Knowing your rights and the law when it comes to marriage, children and divorce

Not all expatriates of South Africa know their rights in relation to family law relevant to South Africa. He or she may not know how to divorce a spouse living in South Africa or how to claim maintenance from a parent who still lives in South Africa.  The South African expatriate may then decide not to do anything and wait until he or she returns to South Africa. This may be fine if it only relates to the issue of a divorce. But it may be problematic should it relate to issues regarding child contact and child maintenance.

Family legal issues for South African expatriates

If the spouse who expatriates to a distant country wishes to marry someone else there while still being married to somebody in South Africa, such a second marriage cannot take place. The obvious reason for that is that he or she is still married to somebody in South Africa. Therefore, he or she needs to look into the possibility of getting divorced from the spouse living in South Africa while he or she is still an expatriate in a different country.

Divorcing someone living in South Africa while you are living abroad

For a South African Court to divorce a couple, it has to have jurisdiction over the matter or one of the spouses. Not to complicate matters, basically one of the spouses has to be living in its area of jurisdiction for the divorce court to divorce a couple.  Therefore, notwithstanding a spouse living abroad, he or she may still Institute divorce proceedings if the other spouse lives in South Africa. The opposite also applies. For example, if a spouse lives in South Africa and wishes to divorce his or her spouse who lives abroad, the divorce court in South Africa can still divorce the couple.

Uncontested divorces are best when it comes to expatriates

It would be advisable that the parties agree on getting divorced before instituting divorce proceedings. The reason for saying so is that if the divorce becomes contested and both parties are living in different countries, things can become messy for both, and very expensive for the expatriate. However, if the parties cannot come to an agreement regarding the divorce, one of them have to institute divorce proceedings. As stated, such proceedings may be instituted in South Africa notwithstanding the other spouse living abroad.

The edictal citation for international divorces

If a spouse who lives in South Africa wishes to Institute divorce proceedings against a spouse living abroad, he or she will have to approach the divorce court first for consent to serve the documentation on the other spouse through a process called edictal citation. In other words, the court documents would have to be served in a manner other than the usual manner of serving legal documents. That is through the South African Sheriff. For expatriates, the court may order that the document may be served via email or through an attorney or sheriff in the foreign country.  Now we can move on to the issue of child custody and guardianship disputes.

Child custody and guardianship disputes where expatriates are involved

Child custody and guardianship disputes where one of the parents are expatriates of South Africa often occurs when one of the parents would leave South Africa for work.  Should there be a parent who wishes to leave on his or her own to work overseas; no consent would be required from the other parent to do so.

Consent for relocation of minor children

However, should a parent wish to relocate to another country or visit another country and take the minor child with temporarily for a year or two while he or she is working there, then under those circumstances, the consent of the other parent is required. This would be the case if both parents are holders of parental rights and responsibilities of guardianship over the minor child. In such a case both parents have to consent for the removal of the minor child from the Republic of South Africa. The same applies to an application for a passport for the minor child. If the father does not have guardianship rights, then his consent would not be required.

Consent for passport Applications for minor children

Although a minor child has a right to a passport as entrenched in our Constitution, if an application is made for the minor child’s passport, both parents who have parental rights and responsibilities of guardianship over the minor child has to consent to such an application. If a parent is an expatriate in another country and he or she now wishes to have the minor child travel with him or her to his or her country of work, and the other parent does not wish to give consent for such travel,  then an application would have to be made to the court for the necessary consent. Such an application can still be made while the one parent is living abroad and the minor child is living in South Africa. Communications between the parent living abroad and the lawyers assisting that parent in South Africa can be done via email telephone or video conferencing. At the end of the day, the court will decide whether or not to send the minor child to the country where the expatriate resides based on whether or not it is in the minor child’s best interest.

Child maintenance claims by expatriates

It often happens that only one parent moves abroad with the minor child and the other parent remains in South Africa. With the current cost of living, a parent may find it hard to survive abroad without financial support from the other parent. If the parent living in South Africa does not want to contribute a reasonable sum of child maintenance, then the expatriated parent may approach the relevant authorities in the country to start the legal process of claiming maintenance from the parent in South Africa.

Reciprocal enforcement agreements between countries (the REMO Act)

South Africa is a signatory to international agreements with various other countries. In terms of these agreements, countries would work together in enforcing maintenance orders in foreign countries. The relevant legislation in South Africa is the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act (the REMO Act).  This act is applied in South Africa should an expatriate wish to claim maintenance from a parent living in South Africa. The opposite also applies. Should a parent living in South Africa wish to claim maintenance from a parent living abroad in one of the signatory countries, he or she would make use of the REMO Act. A list of the proclaimed countries or territories are as follows:
  • Australia
Capital Territory – New South Wales – Northern Territory – State of Queensland South Australia – Tasmania – State of Victoria – Western Australia
  • Botswana
  • Canada
Alberta – British Columbia – Province of Manitoba – North West Territories – Province of Ontario
  • Cocoa (Keeling) Islands
  • Cyprus
  • Fiji
  • Germany
  • Guernsey (Bailiwick of)
  • Hong Kong
  • Isle of Jersey
  • Isle of Man
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mauritius
  • Namibia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norfolk Island
  • Sarawak
  • Singapore
  • St Helena
  • Swaziland
  • United Kingdom
England – Northern Ireland – Scotland – Wales
  • United States of America
California – Florida
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
https://www.justice.gov.za/ilr/intmnt.html Are you an expatriate of South Africa and require advice or assistance on any of the issues mentioned above? Get in contact with us. 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:
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What all separated parents should know before the holiday season. Use this legal advice to ensure that the holidays go by smoothly.

During the festive season, school is out and the holidays are here. This is a time of year when children get a break from the long school hours, early mornings, homework and exams. It is a welcomed relief to most parents and children. Parents no longer have to deal with homework, washing of school clothing and making sure their children arrive at school on time. Of course, there are other challenges.  For example, the children would need to be entertained and be cared for during the day. Sometimes whilst the parents are at work.

Contact arrangements during school holidays

During the school holidays, contact arrangements of separated parents concerning their children would change. Children would usually be one full-half of the holidays with one parent, which half would alternate each year. The split usually takes place after Christmas. Some parents follow a week-on, and week-off arrangement. On a rare occasion, the parent continues with contact as they have during the school term. This may apply to parents who are working during the holidays. So most of the time, during a period in the holidays, one parent cares for the child; then the other can take a break from caring. If the mother is the primary caregiver, she can use this time to go on a mini-vacation or catch up on her reading or go out on an outing with her friend. Therefore holiday time could be very beneficial to the child and parents concerned.
Sometimes one parent wants to go on a holiday overseas with the child to visit a relative, but consent is not forthcoming from the other parent. And other times, a parent wants to have more contact than they usually exercise, which would infringe the other party’s contact rights. On the flip side, a parent may not be available to care for the child during the holidays due to work, or other reasons. These and other issues can arise during the school holidays. This article will try to address some of these scenarios, with some advice, and advise on when to approach the court should they not be able to resolve them. Now let us begin.

Parenting arrangements for separated parents during the holidays

Parenting arrangements for separated parents can come in various forms. It may either be in the form of a mediated parenting plan, informal documented arrangement, or an order of Court. In other cases, the parties have some type of verbal agreement which they follow and confirm via email or text messages. Some parents use the children as the go-between to arrange holiday contact. Should the parents adhere to the terms of the agreement; no problems would arise during the holidays. A well deserved holiday would be on the horizon. However, our experiences are that during the end of the year holiday, problems are more likely to arise than at any other time of the year. This would be so notwithstanding there is a binding legal agreement in place. This article will attempt to highlight those problems and also provide you with workable solutions to avoid them. Let us start with the usual holiday contact.

Holiday contact – All families are different

All families are different. The type of contact a parent would have to a child during the holidays would vary from family to family. This would depend on the various family dynamics. For example, the age of the children, and whether or not the parents are working during the school holidays. Another factor is whether or not they live close to each other. Whatever the Dynamics, the parenting arrangement should be workable and sensible.

Equal sharing of long and short school holidays

The usual parenting agreement would be for the parents to share school holidays equally. Of course, not all parents have the privilege of not having to work during school holidays. It is therefore important that prior to the holidays, parents come to a workable agreement on how contact should be exercised during that period. This is not only in the child’s best interest but in the interests of the parents concerned. Parents will not want to spend their entire holiday fighting over contact. They should use this time to spend quality time with the children and also to enjoy the holiday season.

What all separated parents should do before the holidays

A few months before the holidays, the parents should discuss contact for that period. What worked a few years ago when the children were young might not be applicable today. For example, now the children have to attend school camp or attend to additional tuition. Furthermore, they may want to go away to a sporting event for the holidays. Notwithstanding the various dynamics, the parents have to come to an agreement regarding how contact should be exercised during school holidays way in advance. Obviously, during the school term, their schedule is set.

What to do if an agreement cannot be reached

Should the parents not be able to come to an agreement regarding contact during the school holidays, it is important for them to have a look at the parenting plan or Order of court in this regard. Usually, the parenting plan would deal with facilitation or mediation, as well as the Court Order. If it does not, it is strongly advised that you approach a mediator to assist in resolving the care and contact issues for the holidays. If that is not possible, then read on to learn more regarding some possible solutions.

When to approach the Court regarding holiday contact?

The last resort for parents who cannot agree on contact during the holidays is for them to approach the court. Even if there is a court order in place, but it has since become impractical, one would expect parents to act reasonably. However, if one parent is adamant that the court order should be followed, then approaching the court is the route to follow. But before doing so, it may be wise to see a legal practitioner for legal advice on the specific issue. An attorney may also send the other parent a letter. This may resolve matters. Let us look at a few examples of when approaching the court would be necessary.

Refusal of Contact when there is no order in place

If there is no court order in place, and the primary caregiver refuses you contact to your child, then first try to mediate the matter. Trying to enter into a parenting plan would be a wise idea. If that is not possible, or fails, then approaching the court would be the next step to follow. A family law attorney would be able to assist you.

There is a Court Order in place

Let’s say there is a contact court order in place. However, it is outdated and not workable. This is so because the children are now teenagers, and contact should be no longer every second day, but for a week at a time. This is not only practical but also what the children want. If there is a parenting plan in place, that allows for the mediation of such a matter, then mediation should be followed. If not, then a variation of the court order would be warranted. The court would always look at what is best for the children, and not what the parents want.

Refusal to give consent to take the minor child on holiday overseas

Both parents who hold parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship should consent to the minor child leaving South Africa for visits overseas. However, it often happens that custody agreements or Court orders don’t deal with this scenario. When the party separated they did not foresee the possibility of the child wanting to leave the country with the other parent. Nonetheless, this scenario is a reality. The parties, therefore, have to be sensible and come to an amicable agreement regarding it. If they cannot come to an agreement regarding the minor child leaving the country with the other parent then, unfortunately, the court should be approached.

Refusal to give consent for the minor child to obtain a passport

When the children were young at the time of divorce or separation, the parents may not have seen the necessity for them to obtain a passport. However, things changed. Now that their children are teenagers they may want to travel overseas with a parent. Should this occur they would have to obtain a passport. Here too the law says that both parents should consent for the application of a passport if they are both guardians. Therefore, if one parent does not consent then the High Court should be approached. This would be very unfortunate seeing that High Court litigation is very expensive. The parties would have to appoint a legal practitioner to make the application to the court and oppose it if necessary. This would not be in the minor child’s best interest. Nonetheless, the court will decide what is best for the minor child concerned.

Child maintenance during the festive season

Lastly, we would like to touch on the issue regarding child maintenance during the festive season. During holiday times, children become more expensive. They eat more, want to go out more, and at the same time use more water and electricity at home. Unfortunately, these added expenses can burden a parent caring for children during the holiday season. We, therefore, advise parents to timeously discuss these issues and see whether or not they can come to an agreement regarding the expenses of the child during the holidays. Unfortunately, if a parent does not want to contribute more than he or she is currently contributing; the other parent would have to approach the maintenance court. The sad reality of this is that the maintenance court can take many months to finalize such an issue. We, therefore, implore on all separated parents to be cognizant of this fact and try to be more generous regarding child maintenance during the holiday season.

Final words of advice two parents who are separated during the festive season

As outlined above, it is important that parents timelessly come to an agreement regarding contact in relation to a minor child during the festive season. If they do not do that, many problems can arise in the future. Of them could be limited or no contact with a minor child. It could also mean that a court should be approached should one parent not decide to provide contact to the minor child. This can all be avoided should the parties work together in what is best for the minor child concerned. If however, the parents cannot come to an agreement regarding contact, consent to travel abroad, or apply for a passport for a minor child; then the parents would have to resolve this matter in the High Court. This is best to be avoided at all costs. 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                      

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