I cannot afford to pay child maintenance during the Lockdown. What can I do? The other parent of my child has not paid any maintenance since before the lockdown. What should I do?

  We are now on day 19 of the National Lockdown. Many expected the lockdown to endure for only 21 days. However, it is now set for 35 days. Unless you are an essential worker, or a business providing essential services, you may not go out to work or earn a living. You may, however, work from home making use of email, telephone calls, and video calls. However, the vast majority of workers in South Africa do not work from a computer or have the ability to earn money from being online. This applies to restaurants, retail stores and suppliers, the building and maintenance industry, and so on. The list is extensive. For those who are lucky to be employed, some will only receive half their salary and some none. No work, no pay. This is a sad reality of the national lockdown. Many people will be left without jobs and unable to pay their expenses. We can only hope and pray that the COVID-19, coronavirus pandemic comes to an end as soon as possible. South Africans can then work together in building our nation back to where it was and beyond.

Regulations regarding the movement of children during the lockdown

1. There are arrangements in place for the children to move for one parent to another in terms of a court order; or
2. A parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan registered with the office of the Family Advocate; and
3. In the household to which the child is to move, there is no person who is known to have come into contact with, or is reasonably suspected to have come into contact with, a person known to have contracted, or reasonably suspected to have contracted, COVID-19;
4. The parent or caregiver transporting the child concerned must have in his or her possession, the court order or the latter agreement, or a certified copy thereof.

TAKE NOTE! There is NO Child Maintenance Payment Holiday during the National Lockdown Period!

A parent’s duty to pay child maintenance

What are the social welfare consequences of not paying child support?

1. Food (breakfast, lunch and supper)
2. Accommodation (rent)
3. Electricity, water and gas
4. Basic clothing
5. Basic educational expenses
6. Personal hygiene and medical expenses

What if a parent really cannot afford to pay child maintenance during the lockdown period?

For what may a parent approach the maintenance court during the lockdown?

I require a law firm to assist me in my Appeal or Review matter. I feel that the judgment or ruling was unfair.

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

child support, child maintenance, divorce, child custody, Cape Town