Updated: 16 April 2020

New regulations have been issued on 16 April 2020. Click on the link below: The material change is that you do not have to have a court order or a parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan, registered with the family advocate. Possession of a birth certificate or certified copy of a birth certificate is now also allowed.

Update: 07 April 2020

NEW LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS REGARDING THE MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN – CERTAIN PARENTS MAY MOVE CHILDREN DURING THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN PERIOD (7 April 2020)

“The child must remain in the custody of the parent with whom the child was with, when lockdown period started” – Directive 6(m)(ii) in terms of the Regulations [30 March 2020]

South Africa is in a state of a national lockdown. Our borders are closed, the economy is standing still or barely moving. There are troops on the ground and police on high alert. The doors of businesses are closed and people are to remain at home. All these measures are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. This is an important and necessary measure implemented by the State to flatten the curve. The South Africa, we are living in today is far different than the one we lived in 10 days ago. Not many people saw it coming.
“Continue paying your child support or child maintenance.”

Co-parenting during the National Lockdown Period

Before the commencement of the National Lockdown period, there was uncertainty about how the National Lockdown would affect co-parenting. And rightfully so. Parents had to consider the possibility of no movement of children during the national lockdown period. Not only for their safety and risking infection but for their children as well. What would then happen? Did it mean that the child would have to remain with one parent during the entire lockdown period? Or may they move the children around? This issue was resolved by the government and we wish to bring it to your attention.

What does the regulation or law say?

In summary, and in layman terms, children are not to be moved between parents during the lockdown period. Have a look at the recent regulations. The regulations in place brought about serious challenges for all. Firstly, what if the parent who is not the primary caregiver, and not capable of caring for the children for extended periods had the children during the start of the lockdown? This parent-only knows how to care for the children for a few days at a time – not at all for 21 days. What if the conditions at his or her home are not the same as the primary home of the children? For example, in the primary home, the children have their room to share, and a bigger place to play, etc. All their clothes are there, also their schoolwork and extramural equipment. This is not the case at the home they are at during the lockdown period. Stepsiblings may also be living with them. The example above is a mellow one, but there are far more serious real examples out there. What if the child is prone to fall ill, and everything he or she needs is at the primary home? The list goes on.

Parents abusing the lockdown situation

Then there is the issue of abusing the National lockdown situation. If a parent refused to return the minor child before the lockdown, then that situation would remain. The primary caregiver would then have to wait 21 days before he or she can physically see the minor child. This is the sad reality of the situation. Should you wish to approach the court for urgent relief, you would have to have very strong and compelling reasons why the child should be removed despite the regulations in place.

What to do 8 days later?

Now that we passed the first week of lockdown, many parents never saw their children for the entire period. Many of those parents may prefer that there be a change in caring arrangements where the other parent can now care for the children for another week. Or a parent may want to only see the children for a few hours. Unless the government changes the regulations, that would not be possible.

What advice do we have for parents during the remainder lockdown period?

Parents should work together to ensure that the child’s best interests are upheld during the lockdown period. Telephone calls, WhatsApp messages, and video calls, to mention a few should constantly be used, if possible, between parents and children. We also remind parents to continue paying child maintenance and child support during this lockdown period.

Final advice during the lockdown period

Our final advice to all parents is to remain patient during these challenging times. The entire country is in lockdown and many other nations as well. Everyone is, therefore, going through challenges. Businesses are suffering, and people do not know if they would have an income after the lockdown period. If all goes well, and there is no reason to doubt that it would, at the end of the 21-days of lockdown, things would better. We, therefore, should all respect the government’s decision. Should the situation change during the lockdown period, Our Lawyer (Pty) Ltd would update its website accordingly. If you require legal advice, our online appointment portal is still running. All appointments are done telephonically or via video. We make use of WhatsApp Video, FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype. Stay home and stay safe.

Update: 07 April 2020

NEW LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS REGARDING THE MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN – CERTAIN PARENTS MAY MOVE CHILDREN DURING THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN PERIOD (7 April 2020) 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  
Posted on by Telelaw

Updated: 16 April 2020

New regulations have been issued on 16 April 2020. Click on the link below:

The material change is that you do not have to have a court order or a parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan, registered with the family advocate. Possession of a birth certificate or certified copy of a birth certificate is now also allowed.

Update: 07 April 2020

NEW LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS REGARDING THE MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN – CERTAIN PARENTS MAY MOVE CHILDREN DURING THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN PERIOD (7 April 2020)

“The child must remain in the custody of the parent with whom the child was with, when lockdown period started” – Directive 6(m)(ii) in terms of the Regulations [30 March 2020]

South Africa is in a state of a national lockdown. Our borders are closed, the economy is standing still or barely moving. There are troops on the ground and police on high alert. The doors of businesses are closed and people are to remain at home. All these measures are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. This is an important and necessary measure implemented by the State to flatten the curve. The South Africa, we are living in today is far different than the one we lived in 10 days ago. Not many people saw it coming.

“Continue paying your child support or child maintenance.”

Co-parenting during the National Lockdown Period

Before the commencement of the National Lockdown period, there was uncertainty about how the National Lockdown would affect co-parenting. And rightfully so. Parents had to consider the possibility of no movement of children during the national lockdown period. Not only for their safety and risking infection but for their children as well. What would then happen? Did it mean that the child would have to remain with one parent during the entire lockdown period? Or may they move the children around? This issue was resolved by the government and we wish to bring it to your attention.

What does the regulation or law say?

In summary, and in layman terms, children are not to be moved between parents during the lockdown period. Have a look at the recent regulations.

The regulations in place brought about serious challenges for all. Firstly, what if the parent who is not the primary caregiver, and not capable of caring for the children for extended periods had the children during the start of the lockdown? This parent-only knows how to care for the children for a few days at a time – not at all for 21 days. What if the conditions at his or her home are not the same as the primary home of the children? For example, in the primary home, the children have their room to share, and a bigger place to play, etc. All their clothes are there, also their schoolwork and extramural equipment. This is not the case at the home they are at during the lockdown period. Stepsiblings may also be living with them. The example above is a mellow one, but there are far more serious real examples out there. What if the child is prone to fall ill, and everything he or she needs is at the primary home? The list goes on.

Parents abusing the lockdown situation

Then there is the issue of abusing the National lockdown situation. If a parent refused to return the minor child before the lockdown, then that situation would remain. The primary caregiver would then have to wait 21 days before he or she can physically see the minor child. This is the sad reality of the situation. Should you wish to approach the court for urgent relief, you would have to have very strong and compelling reasons why the child should be removed despite the regulations in place.

What to do 8 days later?

Now that we passed the first week of lockdown, many parents never saw their children for the entire period. Many of those parents may prefer that there be a change in caring arrangements where the other parent can now care for the children for another week. Or a parent may want to only see the children for a few hours. Unless the government changes the regulations, that would not be possible.

What advice do we have for parents during the remainder lockdown period?

Parents should work together to ensure that the child’s best interests are upheld during the lockdown period. Telephone calls, WhatsApp messages, and video calls, to mention a few should constantly be used, if possible, between parents and children.

We also remind parents to continue paying child maintenance and child support during this lockdown period.

Final advice during the lockdown period

Our final advice to all parents is to remain patient during these challenging times. The entire country is in lockdown and many other nations as well. Everyone is, therefore, going through challenges. Businesses are suffering, and people do not know if they would have an income after the lockdown period. If all goes well, and there is no reason to doubt that it would, at the end of the 21-days of lockdown, things would better. We, therefore, should all respect the government’s decision.

Should the situation change during the lockdown period, Our Lawyer (Pty) Ltd would update its website accordingly. If you require legal advice, our online appointment portal is still running. All appointments are done telephonically or via video. We make use of WhatsApp Video, FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype. Stay home and stay safe.

Update: 07 April 2020

NEW LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS REGARDING THE MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN – CERTAIN PARENTS MAY MOVE CHILDREN DURING THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN PERIOD (7 April 2020)

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

 

Related Post

What is An Advocate in South Africa?

An advocate in South Africa is a legal professional who specialises in courtroom advocacy and giving legal advice. They are usually trained and hold experience in representing clients in court (High Court and Magistrates Court), drafting legal documents (Affidavit and Pleadings) and providing legal advice on various legal matters. There are two types of Advocates in South Africa. One is a referral advocate, and the other is a Trust Account Advocate. A referral advocate may only take on work referred to it by an attorney. There are certain exceptions. A Trust Account Advocate may take on work directly from members of the Public. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, barristers (advocates) are distinct from solicitors (attorneys), who are legal professionals but tend to focus more on advising clients outside of court and handling legal transactions.

Why can Trust Account Advocates take on work directly from members of the Public?

All Trust Account Advocates have Trust Banking Accounts and Fidelity Fund Certificates. The Client would then pay money into the Trust Account Advocates banking account, which funds are protected. Therefore, should a Trust Account Advocate misappropriate the capital of a client who paid money into the Trust Banking Account, the Client can claim from the Fidelity Fund.

What is child custody law?

Child custody refers to parents’ legal rights and responsibilities (Parental Responsibilities and Rights) over their children after a separation or divorce. This includes having access or contact with the child and making decisions about their child’s upbringing, such as their education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a child custody matter.

What is child maintenance law?

Child maintenance law, also known as child support law, refers to the legal framework that governs the financial support a non-custodial parent must provide for their child. Child maintenance laws help ensure that both parents are financially responsible for their child’s upbringing and well-being, even after a separation or divorce. The law provides guidelines for determining how much child support should be paid, how often it should be paid, and how it is collected. In South Africa, we have the Maintenance Act and the Maintenance Courts. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a child maintenance matter.

What is divorce law?

Divorce law refers to the legal rules and regulations that govern terminating a marriage. This includes the grounds for divorce, division of property, spousal support (alimony), child custody, and visitation rights. Divorce laws vary from country to country and even from state to state within a country. These laws ensure that the divorce process is fair and equitable for both parties involved. They provide a legal framework for resolving disputes and ensuring that the rights and interests of all parties, including any children involved, are protected. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a divorce matter.

What does child relocation law mean and entail?

Child relocation law refers to the legal rules and regulations governing children’s movement from one geographical location to another. This can either relate to provincial or international relocation. This law concerns the child’s well-being and ensures that relocation is in their best interest. It entails a range of factors that need to be considered, such as the child’s relationship with each parent, the distance of the proposed move, and the child’s educational and social needs. Ultimately, the court will decide based on what is deemed in the child’s best interest. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a child relocation matter.

What is a parenting plan?

A parenting plan is a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent in the upbringing of their child or children after a separation or divorce. This plan is created to ensure that each parent is aware of their obligations and that the child’s best interests are considered. It typically includes details about the child’s living arrangements, visitation schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and financial arrangements. Parenting plans are usually created through mediation or negotiation between the parents, with the assistance of a lawyer, social worker, psychologist or the Office of the Family Advocate. A parenting plan can reduce conflict and provide a stable and predictable environment for the child. A Trust Account Advocate may assist a client directly in a matter involving a parenting plan.

What is child guardianship?

Child guardianship is a legal term that refers to the responsibility and authority of a person to make decisions about the care, welfare, and upbringing of a child who is not their biological child. This can happen when the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child due to various reasons such as death, illness, or incarceration. The guardian then assumes the role of a parent, making decisions about the child’s health, education, and general well-being. Guardianship can be temporary or permanent and can be granted by a Court. The primary goal of child guardianship is to ensure that the child is provided with a safe and stable environment free from neglect or abuse. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a child guardianship matter.

What is passport consent?

Passport consent is a legal requirement that specifies that both parents or legal guardians must provide their written consent before a child can obtain a passport. This is intended to prevent child abduction and ensure both parents have equal rights and responsibilities regarding their child’s travel. Passport consent is required for children under 18, although the age limit may vary depending on the country. Both parents must sign the consent, and in some cases, they may need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of custody or a court order. Without the consent of both parents or legal guardians, a child will not be allowed to obtain a passport or travel internationally. This is confirmed in the Children’s Act. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a passport consent matter.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is any form of abusive behaviour in a personal or family relationship. This can include physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, financial control or coercion. Domestic violence can occur between partners, spouses, parents and children, siblings, or other family members. It is a severe issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Domestic violence can have severe and long-lasting effects on the victim’s mental and physical health, and it is a leading cause of injury and death for women worldwide. It is essential to seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, as resources are available for support and assistance. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in a domestic violence matter.

What is a prenuptial contract?

A prenuptial contract, also known as a prenuptial agreement or prenup, is a legal agreement between two people planning to marry. This agreement sets out how the couple’s assets will be distributed in the event of divorce, separation, or the death of one of the parties. A prenuptial contract can cover various issues, such as property ownership, spousal support, and inheritance rights. It is designed to protect each party’s financial interests and to provide clarity and certainty in the event of a relationship breakdown. Prenuptial contracts are not just for wealthy couples, and they can be helpful for anyone who wants to protect their assets and avoid prolonged and costly legal disputes in the event of a separation or divorce. A Trust Account Advocate may represent a client directly in an issue involving a prenuptial contract.

What is a pre-nikkah agreement?

A pre-nikkah agreement is a legal agreement between two people who plan to get married under Islamic law. This agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of each party in the event of a divorce or separation. It can cover issues such as property division, financial support, and child custody. The purpose of a pre-nikkah agreement is to provide clarity and certainty to both parties in the event of a future dispute. It is important to note that the validity and enforceability of pre-nikkah agreements vary by jurisdiction and may be subject to certain legal requirements. A Trust Account Advocate may assist a client directly with a pre-nikkah agreement.  

Posted on by Telelaw

Do you require a video legal advice consultation?

Click here and schedule one today!