Have an Ante – Nuptial Contract in place

It is not uncommon for people wanting to change their property regime. When we deal with legal matters of this nature, we urge people to make sure that they understand the process and what it means going forward once this has been done. For those of you contemplating marriage, the legal expert would advise that you have an Ante – Nuptial Contract in place. Here he explains why this is crucial in protecting your assets: The usual process to be married Out of Community of Property is to enter into an ante nuptial contract before the marriage. The contract will have clauses in it stating:
  • That there shall be no community of property;
  • That there shall be no community of profit or loss; and
  • That the accrual system provided for in Chapter 1 of the Matrimonial Property Act, no 88 of 1984 is expressly excluded from the marriage.
However, if you did not do so, there is a way of changing your matrimonial property regime from In Community of Property to Out of Community of Property. For this, you need the consent of the High Court in your Jurisdiction. Here you will make use of section 21 of the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984. For more on this topic, see How to Change Your Matrimonial Property Regime . The creators of this website had made free, expert legal advice easily accessible for your convenience. For more on your legal options and ideas, see the following links:
  1. How to Change your Matrimonial Property Regime
  2. Do your own Unopposed Divorce. No lawyers needed and its Free.
  3. Parental Rights of Divorced Muslim parents after a Talaq or Faskh
  4. Free Online Divorce Assistance Form – DIY Cape Town South Africa
comprising of:
  1. Divorce guide
For a one on one professional legal consultation with the family legal expert, call our law offices for an online legal appointment today!

Registering an Ante – Nuptial Contract

First of all, it is crucial to note that if you get married without an Ante Nuptial Contract, you are automatically married in community of property. But what exactly is the purpose of having an ANC? An ANC is an agreement in black and white between two parties before entering into marriage. The agreement stipulates how assets will be dealt with in the event of divorce or death. Having an ante nuptial contract benefits you in the following ways:
  • Debt incurred by the other party, will not be affect you financially due to the ANC in place.
  • The ANC allows the parties to remain separate in estates.
  • Parties will not need each other’s consent in financial dealings.
  • Parties can maintain their own financial independence.
Engage with our efficient online appointment system and have us make an online appointment for you today!

Professional legal drafting services

Our legal expert at our law offices is a professional legal drafter with years of experiences in legal drafting and offering expert legal advice on specific family law topics. These family legal topics range from: Do you require expert legal advice in any of these topics? Do feel free to give our law offices a call on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment today.

In Community of Property VS Out of Community of Property

First of all, for this process to unfold legally, you need to have the guidance of a family legal expert. The legal professional will explain the different ways you can go about altering your matrimonial regime between you and your spouse. In turn, the parties involved must gain a clear understanding of why they’re changing their property regime and how this will impact their financial situation. It is therefore the duty of the legal expert to ensure that you are doing things legally correct. Do you have some questions you would like to ask regarding this topic? See Changing your Matrimonial Property Regime Questions and Answers page. Our professional legal consultation can be conducted telephonically, whereby we will be making the call to the potential client for 40 minutes or for part thereof. We are highly accommodating towards our clients and strive to make this website, and the process of obtaining legal advice, as efficient as possible. For a one on one professional legal consultation with the family legal expert, call our law offices for an online legal appointment today!    
Posted on by Telelaw

Have an Ante – Nuptial Contract in place

It is not uncommon for people wanting to change their property regime. When we deal with legal matters of this nature, we urge people to make sure that they understand the process and what it means going forward once this has been done.

For those of you contemplating marriage, the legal expert would advise that you have an Ante – Nuptial Contract in place. Here he explains why this is crucial in protecting your assets:

The usual process to be married Out of Community of Property is to enter into an ante nuptial contract before the marriage. The contract will have clauses in it stating:

  • That there shall be no community of property;
  • That there shall be no community of profit or loss; and
  • That the accrual system provided for in Chapter 1 of the Matrimonial Property Act, no 88 of 1984 is expressly excluded from the marriage.

However, if you did not do so, there is a way of changing your matrimonial property regime from In Community of Property to Out of Community of Property. For this, you need the consent of the High Court in your Jurisdiction. Here you will make use of section 21 of the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984.

For more on this topic, see How to Change Your Matrimonial Property Regime .

The creators of this website had made free, expert legal advice easily accessible for your convenience. For more on your legal options and ideas, see the following links:

  1. How to Change your Matrimonial Property Regime
  2. Do your own Unopposed Divorce. No lawyers needed and its Free.
  3. Parental Rights of Divorced Muslim parents after a Talaq or Faskh
  4. Free Online Divorce Assistance Form – DIY Cape Town South Africa

comprising of:

  1. Divorce guide

For a one on one professional legal consultation with the family legal expert, call our law offices for an online legal appointment today!

Registering an Ante – Nuptial Contract

First of all, it is crucial to note that if you get married without an Ante Nuptial Contract, you are automatically married in community of property. But what exactly is the purpose of having an ANC?

An ANC is an agreement in black and white between two parties before entering into marriage. The agreement stipulates how assets will be dealt with in the event of divorce or death. Having an ante nuptial contract benefits you in the following ways:

  • Debt incurred by the other party, will not be affect you financially due to the ANC in place.
  • The ANC allows the parties to remain separate in estates.
  • Parties will not need each other’s consent in financial dealings.
  • Parties can maintain their own financial independence.

Engage with our efficient online appointment system and have us make an online appointment for you today!

Professional legal drafting services

Our legal expert at our law offices is a professional legal drafter with years of experiences in legal drafting and offering expert legal advice on specific family law topics. These family legal topics range from:

Do you require expert legal advice in any of these topics? Do feel free to give our law offices a call on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment today.

In Community of Property VS Out of Community of Property

First of all, for this process to unfold legally, you need to have the guidance of a family legal expert. The legal professional will explain the different ways you can go about altering your matrimonial regime between you and your spouse.

In turn, the parties involved must gain a clear understanding of why they’re changing their property regime and how this will impact their financial situation. It is therefore the duty of the legal expert to ensure that you are doing things legally correct.

Do you have some questions you would like to ask regarding this topic? See Changing your Matrimonial Property Regime Questions and Answers page.

Our professional legal consultation can be conducted telephonically, whereby we will be making the call to the potential client for 40 minutes or for part thereof. We are highly accommodating towards our clients and strive to make this website, and the process of obtaining legal advice, as efficient as possible.

For a one on one professional legal consultation with the family legal expert, call our law offices for an online legal appointment today!

 

 

Related Post

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.

Posted on by Telelaw

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

 

Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Mahikeng or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you have no idea how the legal processes work. It is one thing to know that you are entitled to child support, but it is a totally different matter to know the law and procedure on how to claim child support. Luckily in child maintenance matters, the maintenance court is there to assist you in completing the application form. However, many times that is not enough. Especially so if the other parent has a lawyer and knows how to present the case for his or her client.

This article, however, deals with some top tips in care and contact or custody matters in the Children’s Court in Mahikeng. It would explain the processes involved and advise on how to be best prepared for your matter. This advice is applicable whether you live in Mahikeng or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Mahikeng Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Mahikeng, first try to resolve the issues with the other parent. Therefore, if you want more contact with your child and the other parent is refusing, try to resolve the matter first with that parent. If that does not work, try mediation. The mediator can be anyone, from a trusted mutual friend, priest, or other religious leaders, or a professional like an attorney, psychologist, or the office of the Family Advocate. Mahikeng has many professionals that can assist you in this regard. If resolving the matter by yourselves is not possible, or mediation fails, then we suggest you approach the Mahikeng Children’s Court for assistance.

TIP: Focus on getting someone neutral to assist in mediating your matter. Organisations like FAMSA and FAMAC can be of assistance. Google them.

Approaching the Mahikeng Children’s Court

The Mahikeng Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Mahikeng Children’s Court that you fall under their area of jurisdiction. If not, they would direct you to which Children’s Court is applicable to you.

Once you arrive at the Mahikeng Children’s Court, they will provide you with a form headed “Bringing Matter to Court in Terms of Section 53 Children’s Act, 2005 (Act no. 38 of 2005) Regulation Relating to Children’s Court and International Child Abduction, 2008 [Regulation 6]. This form is also called Form 2.

In this form, you will provide all your particulars and that of the child or children and the other parent. The sections in the form are as follows:

  • PART A: PARTICULARS OF CHILD(REN)
  • PART B: PARTICULARS OF *CHILD WHO IS AFFECTED BY OR INVOLVED IN THE MATTER/PERSON *ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD/*ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD WHO CANNOT ACT IN HIS/HER OWN NAME/ *MEMBER OF A GROUP OF CLASS OF CHILDREN/*IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (SECTION 53(2)
  • PART C: PARTICULARS OF PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE MATTER
  • PART D: PARTICULARS OF MATTER

In part D, the following is stated which you need to provide in the form:

  • Nature of matter brought to Court: (Please give full details of the matter e.g., registration/amendment of parenting plans, removal of child to safe care, children in need of care and protection, placement in youth care centers, adoption etc.
  • Documents: Are there any documents relating to the matter? (If so please attach)

Once you have completed the form and attached the relevant documents to it, you must take it to a commissioner of Oaths to have it commissioned. It does not have to be in Mahikeng.

TIP: Draft a separate affidavit explaining your case. Outline some background information and reasons why the Court should give you what you request. Attach it to Form 2.

Processing your Application at the Mahikeng Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Mahikeng Children’s Court, they will process it and allocate it a case number or reference number. The Clerk of the Court would then allocate a date to the matter and advise the parties accordingly when the court date is. Please note that some courts follow a different process for processing the application and informing the parties of the court date. Please enquire from the Court when making the application what process they follow.

TIP: Obtain the contact details of the Court for you to contact them to obtain the Court date or other information. Ask for their contact number and email address.

Appearing in the Mahikeng Children’s Court

When notified of the Court date, both you and the other parent should attend. If you are making use of a lawyer (Advocate or Attorney), inform them timeously of the date. Depending on the Court, you may first see the Clerk or go directly to the Magistrate. The Children’s Court would do its best to try to resolve the matter. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the Children’s Court may postpone the matter for either of the following:

  • Get a social worker involved in the matter;
  • Appoint a legal representative for the minor child;
  • Implement interim care and contact arrangements;
  • Having the parties attempt to agree on a parenting plan;
  •  

In serious matters, the Court may remove the minor child from both parents and place the child in foster care. The powers of the Children’s Court are extensive. It will, however, focus on what is in the child’s best interests.

TIP: Be as vocal as possible. Do not expect the Court to be understanding of your case or be on your side. It is your duty to explain your case and provide the Court with all the relevant information they require for them to make a fair decision.

Finalising the matter in the Mahikeng Children’s Court

Once the Mahikeng Children’s Court has enough information to make a final decision, it will do so. Depending on the facts of the matter, that could either be making a Parenting Plan, an Order of the Court or a final care and contact Order. The Court may even make further interim orders, where the parties are to return to Court after a few months, or a year later.

TIP: Do not agree to something just because the social worker, a lawyer, or the Court suggest it. You need to be happy with what is decided.

The above Mahikeng Children’s Court Application tips should apply to the following provinces and cities:

Eastern Cape:

Alice, Butterworth, East London, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown, King William’s Town, Mthatha

Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Uitenhage, Zwelitsha

Free State:

Bethlehem. Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein, Kroonstad, Odendaalsrus, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba, Sasolburg, Virginia, Welkom

Gauteng:

Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Carletonville, Germiston, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Soweto, Springs, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging

KwaZulu-Natal:

Durban, Empangeni, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Ulundi, Umlazi

Limpopo:

Giyani, Lebowakgomo, Musina, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Seshego, Sibasa, Thabazimbi

Mpumalanga:

Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Secunda, North West, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Northern Cape, Kimberley, Kuruman, Port Nolloth

Western Cape:

Bellville, Mahikeng, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

Posted on by Telelaw

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