Divorce, child maintenance, child custody, DIY divorce, Cape Town

How much child maintenance should fathers pay?

At our law offices, we are often confronted with this question which is why we have introduced our child maintenance calculator. This legal product is mostly for our mothers who are unsure of how much child support they should be receiving from the father. Do not despair. We know that all of this can be pretty daunting for the first time fathers learning about child support. With that being said, we have put together some professional, free online legal services for our single fathers. Feel free to click on the following links below for some expert advice:

1. How to Apply for Child Maintenance at Court – Step by Step Guide and Advice
2. Child Maintenance Question. How much should I pay or contribute as a parent?
3. Child Support or maintenance claims. Does an unemployed father pay?
4. Non-compliance with Maintenance Orders — Civil and Criminal Remedies
5. Tricks and tips on how to win your child maintenance case

Are you interested in any of our legal services? Do feel free to contact our law offices on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment for a professional legal consultation today. Our law offices are situated in the heart of the buzzing CBD at Suite 702, 7^th floor, The Pinnacle, Cape Town.

Divorce, child custody, child maintenance, visitation rights – this can all be daunting to the single father!   

• Child custody visitation access- questions and answers
• Child custody frequently asked questions
• Father refused contact to his child. What are his rights?
• Father’s parental responsibilities and rights to his child.
• How do I get full custody over my child?
• Parental child abuse in custody cases- Cape Town
• What does it mean when you have primary residential custody?
• What happens in a case custody dispute when one parent is mentally ill?

Parental rights in South Africa

• What is best for the child rather than parents
• The relationship between the child and guardian
• The dedication the guardian has shown to taking care of the child and
• Other factors that may be relevant to the court.

Our Family Law Clients

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High Court Advocate Cape Town Western Cape

Best advice on finding a top divorce lawyer for your divorce case in Hout Bay, Cape Town

Do you live in Hout Bay, and are you considering divorcing your spouse? Or have you been threatened with divorce? Either way, a divorce is a legal matter, and it is best to find sound legal advice or assistance. Furthermore, divorcing someone has potential severe legal consequences you may not know of. The first consequence, of course, is that you are no longer married to your former spouse, and there is no legal obligation to maintain each other (unless you qualify for alimony). You may also not inherit from your former spouse’s intestate. Lastly, and obviously, you are free to marry someone else. However, do you know of the proprietary (property) consequences of getting a divorce? What about the assets and debt you and your spouse incurred in Hout Bay or elsewhere during your marriage? Do you know what should happen to it? If not, it is best you find out about these critical aspects and others before getting divorced. Then there is the issue of parental responsibilities and rights after the divorce should there be minor children involved. This article aims to provide guidance on finding the best attorney or advocate for your divorce matter that can adequately and properly advise you or handle your divorce. The advice would apply whether you live in Hout Bay or anywhere else in South Africa. The issues we shall deal with are the following.

• Gender of the Advocate or attorney;
• Location of the Advocate or attorney;
• Experience of the Advocate or attorney;
• Costs of the Advocate or Attorney; and
• The personality of the Advocate or Attorney.

What is the best gender of the Advocate or Attorney I need to use for my divorce? Is a male or female better?

Generally, the gender of your Advocate or Attorney should not play a role at all in a legal matter. However, depending on your background and the issues involved in your divorce, you may prefer a specific gender where you may feel more comfortable. A female who has been emotionally, physically and psychologically abused may be more comfortable with a female Attorney or Advocate. However, the same female client may prefer a male Advocate or Attorney. No more will be said on this issue.

What is the ideal office location of the Advocate or attorney? Does it have to be in Hout Bay?

The location or office of your attorney or Advocate is essential if you wish to consult with them in person. It is also ideal, but not necessary, for their offices to be close to the Court where the divorce would be handled. However, many lawyers make use of correspondent lawyers for this purpose. Furthermore, location should not be an issue if you want a specific lawyer to handle your case. This is so especially seeing that people are making use of virtual meetings.

What level of experience should the Advocate or attorney have?

It is important to remember that not all legal matters require the best lawyer. If your divorce is straightforward, finding the best lawyer in the field is unnecessary. The best may be very busy and lack the time to give your case the attention it deserves. However, if your matter is complicated, then in that case, the most experienced and best lawyer out there is not warranted.

What about the Costs of an Attorney or Advocate?

For many, the costs of the Attorney or Advocate are the most crucial consideration when it comes to enlisting their services. Usually, the more experienced the Attorney or Advocate, the more they would charge. Another aspect that affects costs is the nature of the expertise of the Advocate or Attorney. If the issues in your matter are highly technical and complicated, an Advocate or Attorney with expertise and experience may charge more.

What about the personality of the Advocate or Attorney?

Many may discard the Advocate or Attorney’s personality as not important. However, it is essential to note that it may be time to change lawyers if you do not get along well with the Advocate or Attorney because of their personality. A lawyer and their client would develop a professional relationship in family law matters. This is especially so when the lawyer must discuss many personal issues regarding you, your marriage, children, finance, spouse etc. If you cannot get along well with your Attorney or Advocate, you may not divulge important information relevant to your case.

What is our best advice to a client looking for an Advocate or Attorney in a divorce matter?

Considering all the factors mentioned above, before enlisting the services of an Advocate or Attorney, ensure you enlist the right one. Do not look for the most experience or best, or the top one in family law. You may have to change lawyers if you do so and cannot afford legal bills. Therefore consider the above and any other factors that you may consider necessary when deciding on enlisting the services of an Advocate or an Attorney. Best of luck.