What are the legal implications of a step-parent adopting a child in South Africa? Is it possible and  what are the rights of the biological parents?

It often happens that a couple marries and there are step-children involved. A spouse would therefore have a child from a previous relationship. The previous relationship could either have been a marriage or just a romantic experience. Sometimes, the step-parent would want to adopt the child, affording him or her legal rights and responsibilities over the child. This is the case, even if the other parent is still alive and in the picture. It may happen that a parent is not much involved in a child’s life and would not mind that the other parent who cares for the child have his or her spouse adopt the child. By doing so, the child would have the step-parent’s surname. The responsibility towards the child would now also fall on the step-parent. Whatever the reason, this article deals with the legal aspects. As you would see further below, an adoption order has the following effect: (a) confers full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the adopted child upon the adoptive parent; (b) confers the surname of the adoptive parent on the adopted child, except when otherwise provided in the order; (c) does not permit any marriage or sexual intercourse between the child and any other person which would have been prohibited had the child not been adopted; and (d) does not affect any rights to property the child acquired before the adoption. (3) An adopted child must for all purposes be regarded as the child of the adoptive parent and an adoptive parent must for all purposes be regarded as the parent of the adopted child. The law dealing with adoptions is the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 (the Act). Chapter 15 of the Act which deals with it is quite extensive. It starts at section 228 and ends at section 253. We will first deal with the issue as which child may be adopted. For a full view of the Act and the relevant sections, click here. Child who may be adopted 230.(1) Any child may be adopted if- (a) the adoption is in the best interests of the child; (b) the child is adoptable; and (c) the provisions of this Chapter are complied with. (2) An adoption social worker must make an assessment to determine whether a child (3) A child is adoptable if – (a) the child is an orphan and has no guardian or caregiver who is willing to adopt the child; (b) the whereabouts of the child’s parent or guardian cannot be established; (c) the child has been abandoned; (d) the child’s parent or guardian has abused or deliberately neglected the child, or has allowed the child to be abused or deliberately neglected; or (e) the child is in need of a permanent alternative placement. Next, we deal with who may adopt a child. Persons who may adopt child 231.(1) A child may be adopted- (a) jointly by- (i) a husband and wife; (ii) partners in a permanent domestic life-partnership; or (iii) other persons sharing a common household and forming a permanent family unit; (b) by a widower, widow, divorced or unmarried person; (c) by a married person whose spouse is the parent of the child or by a person whose permanent domestic life-partner is the parent of the child; (4 by the biological father of a child born out of wedlock; or (e) by the foster parent of the child. Lastly, should all go well, the court would make an adoption order. The next section of the Act deals with the effect of the adoption order. Effect of adoption order 242.(1) Except when provided otherwise in the order or in a post-adoption agreement confirmed by the court an adoption order terminates – (a) all parental responsibilities and rights any person, including a parent, step-parent or partner in a domestic life partnership, had in respect of the child immediately before the adoption; (b) all claims to contact with the child by any family member of a person referred to in paragraph (a); (c) all rights and responsibilities the child had in respect of a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) immediately before the adoption; and (d) any previous order made in respect of the placement of the child. (2) An adoption order – (a) confers full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the adopted child upon the adoptive parent; (b) confers the surname of the adoptive parent on the adopted child, except when otherwise provided in the order; (c) does not permit any marriage or sexual intercourse between the child and any other person which would have been prohibited had the child not been adopted; and (d) does not affect any rights to property the child acquired before the adoption. (3) An adopted child must for all purposes be regarded as the child of the adoptive parent and an adoptive parent must for all purposes be regarded as the parent of the adopted child.

What are the rights of step-parents and his or her spouse after the step-parent adopted the child?

Once a child has been adopted by a step-parent, the court can order that both the step-parent and spouse (other biological parent) are the holders of parental responsibilities and rights. This issue was dealt with in the case of Centre for Child Law v Minister of Social Development (21122/13) [2013] ZAGPPHC 305; 2014 (1) SA 468 (GNP) (30 October 2013). The court stated the following: [14] The advice allegedly given by officials of the Children’s Court to prospective applicants for adoption that, in terms of s. 242 of the Act, the granting of an application for adoption by a step-parent will automatically terminate all rights and responsibilities of the parent in respect of the child, ignores the exception provided for in the preamble of s. 242. In terms thereof, an adoption order terminates those rights “except when provided otherwise in the order…………… The Children’s Court therefore has a discretion to order that the rights and responsibilities of a child’s parent or guardian will not terminate upon the grant of an adoption order in favour of the step-parent. It will, save in exceptional circumstances, clearly be in the best interests of the child that such an order be made. The Children’s Court is obliged to function in a manner which in each case promotes the best interests of the child and should, except where there are sound reasons not to do so, make an order that the granting of an adoption order in favour of a step-parent will not terminate the responsibilities and rights of the child’s parent or other guardian. In this case, the court made the following order: [17] In the result, I grant the following order: 1.It is declared that section 230(3) of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, does not preclude a child from being adoptable in instances where the child has a guardian and the person seeking to adopt the child is the spouse or permanent domestic life-partner of that guardian. 2.It is declared that section 242 of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, does not automatically terminate all the parental responsibilities and rights of the guardian of a child when an adoption order is granted in favour of the spouse or permanent domestic life-partner of that guardian, having regard to the discretion which section 242 affords the court to order otherwise. 3…

What are the rights of the step-parent and the biological parent’s post-adoption?

Once the step-parent adopts the child, he or she has full parental responsibilities and rights as outlined above., The court can also order that you retain your parental responsibilities and rights over your child. At the same time, unless there is a post-adoption agreement stating otherwise, the other parent loses all his or her rights over the child.
Posted on by Telelaw

What are the legal implications of a step-parent adopting a child in South Africa? Is it possible and  what are the rights of the biological parents?

It often happens that a couple marries and there are step-children involved. A spouse would therefore have a child from a previous relationship. The previous relationship could either have been a marriage or just a romantic experience. Sometimes, the step-parent would want to adopt the child, affording him or her legal rights and responsibilities over the child. This is the case, even if the other parent is still alive and in the picture.

It may happen that a parent is not much involved in a child’s life and would not mind that the other parent who cares for the child have his or her spouse adopt the child. By doing so, the child would have the step-parent’s surname. The responsibility towards the child would now also fall on the step-parent. Whatever the reason, this article deals with the legal aspects.

As you would see further below, an adoption order has the following effect:

(a) confers full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the adopted child upon the adoptive parent;

(b) confers the surname of the adoptive parent on the adopted child, except when otherwise provided in the order;

(c) does not permit any marriage or sexual intercourse between the child and any other person which would have been prohibited had the child not been adopted; and

(d) does not affect any rights to property the child acquired before the adoption.

(3) An adopted child must for all purposes be regarded as the child of the adoptive parent and an adoptive parent must for all purposes be regarded as the parent of the adopted child.

The law dealing with adoptions is the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 (the Act). Chapter 15 of the Act which deals with it is quite extensive. It starts at section 228 and ends at section 253. We will first deal with the issue as which child may be adopted. For a full view of the Act and the relevant sections, click here.

Child who may be adopted

230.(1) Any child may be adopted if-

(a) the adoption is in the best interests of the child;

(b) the child is adoptable; and

(c) the provisions of this Chapter are complied with.

(2) An adoption social worker must make an assessment to determine whether a child

(3) A child is adoptable if –

(a) the child is an orphan and has no guardian or caregiver who is willing to adopt

the child;

(b) the whereabouts of the child’s parent or guardian cannot be established;

(c) the child has been abandoned;

(d) the child’s parent or guardian has abused or deliberately neglected the child, or

has allowed the child to be abused or deliberately neglected; or

(e) the child is in need of a permanent alternative placement.

Next, we deal with who may adopt a child.

Persons who may adopt child

231.(1) A child may be adopted-

(a) jointly by-

(i) a husband and wife;

(ii) partners in a permanent domestic life-partnership; or

(iii) other persons sharing a common household and forming a permanent family unit;

(b) by a widower, widow, divorced or unmarried person;

(c) by a married person whose spouse is the parent of the child or by a person whose permanent domestic life-partner is the parent of the child;

(4 by the biological father of a child born out of wedlock; or

(e) by the foster parent of the child.

Lastly, should all go well, the court would make an adoption order. The next section of the Act deals with the effect of the adoption order.

Effect of adoption order

242.(1) Except when provided otherwise in the order or in a post-adoption agreement confirmed by the court an adoption order terminates –

(a) all parental responsibilities and rights any person, including a parent, step-parent or partner in a domestic life partnership, had in respect of the child immediately before the adoption;

(b) all claims to contact with the child by any family member of a person referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) all rights and responsibilities the child had in respect of a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) immediately before the adoption; and

(d) any previous order made in respect of the placement of the child.

(2) An adoption order –

(a) confers full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the adopted child upon the adoptive parent;

(b) confers the surname of the adoptive parent on the adopted child, except when otherwise provided in the order;

(c) does not permit any marriage or sexual intercourse between the child and any other person which would have been prohibited had the child not been adopted; and

(d) does not affect any rights to property the child acquired before the adoption.

(3) An adopted child must for all purposes be regarded as the child of the adoptive parent and an adoptive parent must for all purposes be regarded as the parent of the adopted child.

What are the rights of step-parents and his or her spouse after the step-parent adopted the child?

Once a child has been adopted by a step-parent, the court can order that both the step-parent and spouse (other biological parent) are the holders of parental responsibilities and rights. This issue was dealt with in the case of Centre for Child Law v Minister of Social Development (21122/13) [2013] ZAGPPHC 305; 2014 (1) SA 468 (GNP) (30 October 2013).

The court stated the following:

[14] The advice allegedly given by officials of the Children’s Court to prospective applicants for adoption that, in terms of s. 242 of the Act, the granting of an application for adoption by a step-parent will automatically terminate all rights and responsibilities of the parent in respect of the child, ignores the exception provided for in the preamble of s. 242. In terms thereof, an adoption order terminates those rights “except when provided otherwise in the order…………… The Children’s Court therefore has a discretion to order that the rights and responsibilities of a child’s parent or guardian will not terminate upon the grant of an adoption order in favour of the step-parent. It will, save in exceptional circumstances, clearly be in the best interests of the child that such an order be made. The Children’s Court is obliged to function in a manner which in each case promotes the best interests of the child and should, except where there are sound reasons not to do so, make an order that the granting of an adoption order in favour of a step-parent will not terminate the responsibilities and rights of the child’s parent or other guardian.

In this case, the court made the following order:

[17] In the result, I grant the following order:

1.It is declared that section 230(3) of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, does not preclude a child from being adoptable in instances where the child has a guardian and the person seeking to adopt the child is the spouse or permanent domestic life-partner of that guardian.

2.It is declared that section 242 of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, does not automatically terminate all the parental responsibilities and rights of the guardian of a child when an adoption order is granted in favour of the spouse or permanent domestic life-partner of that guardian, having regard to the discretion which section 242 affords the court to order otherwise.

3…

What are the rights of the step-parent and the biological parent’s post-adoption?

Once the step-parent adopts the child, he or she has full parental responsibilities and rights as outlined above., The court can also order that you retain your parental responsibilities and rights over your child. At the same time, unless there is a post-adoption agreement stating otherwise, the other parent loses all his or her rights over the child.

Related Post

Is it possible for an unmarried father to obtain full custody of a 10-year-old child and not the mother? – A simplified family lawyer’s perspective.

By Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf There is a common misconception that if a child was born out of wedlock; only the mother can be the primary caregiver of the child concerned. This may however generally be the case. However, it is presumed by some that if a mother cared for the child since his or her birth, the father would not be able to be the child’s primary caregiver. In other words, the child would always live with the mother, and never with the father. We do not blame our clients for thinking so. That is the stereotype. As the world changes, so does the law.

The popular scenario regarding single parenting?

We are often approached by fathers who have a child that was born out of wedlock. He and the mother most probably lived together when the child was born. But things did not work out between them. The mother moved out and lived with her parents or on her own. The father would then regularly have contact with the child. The type of contact would be decided by the mother. Now the question is, even if the child is 10 years old; is it possible for the child to be cared for by the father and live with him primarily? The answer to that is yes. This is so, as the law looks at what is best for the child concerned.

Best interests of the child principles when it comes to children

Both the South African Constitution and the Children’s Act, says that the child’s best interests are given priority. In other words, a child’s best interests are of paramount importance in matters relating to him or her. Therefore, for one to assume at the outset, that only mothers are the best primary caregivers, is not only incorrect but potentially dangerous when dealing in children’s matters. The law expects us to look at all factors, not only who historically looked after the child, but also, the possibility of whether the father can better care for the child. Moreover, as the child’s best interests are of paramount importance, deciding as to whether or not to move a child from the primary care of a mother to that of the father should not be done lightly. Therefore, even if the father, 10 years later, can on the face of it care better for the child than the mother, this should not be the deciding factor. One would also need to look at the emotional and psychological impact it would have on the child as well.

What would be an ideal situation where moving the child from the mother to the father would be warranted?

In our view, material comforts are not reason enough to move a child from the primary care of a mother to that of a father. If the father is a wealthy person, and the mother not, he can be ordered to pay more child support towards the minor child’s expenses. However, if the child is of a certain age, and he needs to have certain living conditions, and the father has it, then that would be a possible factor in granting the father primary care. For example, if the child is a gifted swimmer, and 17 years old, and in matric, and needs to train consistently, then it makes sense that the father’s living amenities may be an important factor to justify the movement of the child.

Obvious reasons to have the child primarily cared for by the father or another party

Then there is the obvious reason to move the child from the primary care of the mother to that of the father or another person. This would be because the mother is totally incapable of caring for the minor child. She may have developed a mental illness, be admitted to a drug rehabilitation facility, or neglects the child whilst in her care. In such a case, one would look at the father. If he too has issues, then the child would need to be placed in alternative care. For example, foster care, or with another relative.

Is it possible for an unmarried father to obtain full custody of a 10-year-old child?

From the above, it is clear that it is possible for an unmarried father to obtain full custody of a 10-year-old child. It all depends on the facts of the matter. Whilst mothers may be best to care for the child in his or her early age of development, once should not lose sight of the fact that the father could care better for the child. If he cannot, then the child should remain in the primary care of the mother. 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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Frequently asked questions when it comes to parental responsibilities and rights of parents having issues or difficulties in co-caring for their children.

As things evolve, so does the legal question surrounding child custody, contact and care. For example, not too long ago, children were generally seen as best being cared for by mothers as opposed to fathers. Fathers would usually get custody if the mother was incapable of caring for a child. Now the law focuses solely on what is best for the child under specific circumstances. Therefore, it often happens that primary care is awarded to fathers where there are no social welfare issues involved. Moreover, a lot of attention is given to the voice of the child. This depends on the child’s age and level of maturity. We decided to answer various popular questions on parental rights and responsibilities when it comes to children. Below are 11 popular legal questions and answers Our Lawyer comes across. Further below are some frequently asked questions that you can apply your mind to.
  1. Does a mother have more rights over a child than a father?
  2. The father of my child never had contact with the child since before my child’s birth. Does he have any parental rights? We were never married.
  3.  Do I need a lawyer to obtain contact and care rights for my minor children? I never saw my children for the past 6 (six) months.
  4. I am not a working mother. Does that mean that I cannot have primary care (custody) over my child
  5. The father of my child is threatening to take our child away from me. Can he do that? He can afford lawyers. 
  6. Can I refuse the father to have contact with my child if he does not pay child support?
  7.  What happens if parents cannot agree on how to exercise their parental rights and responsibilities of care and contact? 
  8. Can a parent refuse the other parent’s contact with the minor child if there is no court order?
  9.  Can the minor child decide where he or she wants to live if the parents are separated?
  10. How can I get full custody of my child without going to court?
Read on to find the answers to the above questions.

Does a mother have more rights over a child than a father?

If the parents are married, then they have equal parental rights and responsibilities over their child. They, therefore, both have to agree on important aspects of the child’s life. If the parents were not married, then the issue is that of whether or not the father acquired full parental rights and responsibilities over the child. In short, this he would acquire, if he was actively involved in the child’s life since birth, and paid child support. As the child would generally live with the mother, she would decide what is best for the child during the time he spends with her, and the father the same when the child is with him. As he would have acquired parental rights and responsibilities, he would have to consent for guardianship issues. For example, an application for a passport or leaving South Africa with the mother. If the parents cannot agree on these issues, they would have to try to agree on a parenting plan. If that turns out futile, the court may be approached.

The father of my child never had contact with the child since before my child’s birth. Does he have any parental rights? We were never married.

If a father was not married to the child’s mother, he would only obtain parental rights if he was involved in the child’s life since birth and contributed to the child’s maintenance adequately. This is the long and short of it. Concerning the question above, the father does not have any parental responsibilities and rights. Therefore, he cannot come into the child’s life after 10 years and demand to have contact. This may not be in the child’s best interest. Each case is however decided on its own merits.

Do I need a lawyer to obtain contact and care rights for my minor children? I never saw my children for the past 6 (six) months

 It is very sad if a parent refuses the other parent’s contact with their minor children. It is not only the parent who loses out but the children as well. The bond the children have been developing with the other parent would be severed and needs to be rebuilt again. Although children may not express it, they do know that things are wrong. A child would know that a parent is no longer visiting. One does not have to have a lawyer to assist you in obtaining a court order to see your children. However, it is advisable. If you cannot afford one, you can approach the Children’s Court to assist you. It is not necessary to have an attorney or advocate in the latter court.

I am not a working mother. Does that mean that I cannot have primary care (custody) over my child?

There are many parents out there who are not working and caring for their children. The law does not state that a child should reside with a parent who can afford to maintain him or her. If the primary caregiver of the child is unemployed, the maintenance court can order that the other parent pay adequate child support to the other parent. This would be in the child’s best interest. Therefore, primary caregivers of children should not be afraid to fight to keep their children with them despite them being unemployed. They should approach the maintenance court if the other parent is not paying adequate child support for the minor child. The amount they claim can be all the child’s monthly expenses. In other words, the parent caring for the child would not spend any money on the child as she does not have the means. However, caring for the child has great value in it.

The father of my child is threatening to take our child away from me. Can he do that? He can afford lawyers.

This question we often receive from mothers who are separated from the child’s father. They feel vulnerable because the father is bullying them into believing that they will get what they want if the mother does not listen to them. This is a sad reality. However, one that nonetheless needs to be addressed. The law looks at what is best for the child. And does not listen to the parent who has more money or more status in society. If it would indeed be best for the child to live primarily with, the father, then the Court would make such a ruling. However, depending on the age of the child, and how he or she is being cared for, if parents separate, the child would usually remain with the parent who primarily cared for the child. As stated, what is best for the child is the deciding factor. Nothing else.

Can I refuse the father to have contact with my child if he does not pay child support?

Child maintenance obligations and the right to have contact with your child are two separate issues. That is why we have the Maintenance Court and the Children’s court. If a parent is not paying child support or adequate child support for that matter, the primary caregiving parent must approach the maintenance court to decide on the matter. The Maintenance Court would then make a ruling as to what is fair under the circumstances. On the other hand, if a parent is paying more than reasonable child maintenance, it does not mean he or she can have more contact with the minor child. In other words, the more he or she pays, the more contact he or she would have. The law does not work that way. If a parent feels that the other parent is unreasonably withholding contact, then he or she must approach the competent court for relief. But at the same time, continue paying child maintenance.

What happens if parents cannot agree on how to exercise their parental rights and responsibilities of care and contact?

Parental responsibilities and rights refer to aspects of where the child would live, how contact is to be exercised, maintenance and guardianship issues. Parents should first try to agree on a parenting plan should they experience difficulties in exercising their rights. Difficulties in the sense that they cannot agree to the above-mentioned aspects of parenting. The plan would be drafted with the assistance of a social worker, mediator, lawyer, or another suitably qualified person. If the parents cannot agree on the parenting plan, then they may approach the court to deal with their issues. They may approach the Children’s Court or the High Court. The challenge here is that it can take very long, expensive if you make use of lawyers, and further, you are leaving the decision to the court to decide. If you try to mediate a parenting plan beforehand, you and the other parent are in control of the situation.

Can a parent refuse the other parent’s contact with the minor child if there is no court order?

If a parent has parental responsibilities and rights over a minor child, he or she has the right to form part of the child’s life. A parent, therefore, cannot refuse the other parent reasonable contact with the minor child. This would not be in the minor child’s best interest. However, it often happens that a parent believes that under certain circumstances, the other parent should not have contact with the minor child. This is so, despite both parents having full parental responsibilities and rights over a minor child. This attitude can be dangerous, as we have a situation where one parent believes he or she is the sole decider as to what is best for the child. A child has two parents, and both parents should decide. Therefore, if there is no court order, and one parent primarily cares for the minor child, we would expect that parent to act reasonably and, in the child’s, best interest and not in a bossy and controlling manner. If the other parent feels that the primary caregiver is being unreasonable, he or she should attempt to mediate the matter and for a parenting plan to be entered into. If that does not work, the court should be approached to grant a final parenting order.

Can the minor child decide where he or she wants to live if the parents are separated?

Children are to be cared for and therefore, need their parents to decide what is best for them. Therefore, the answer to the question above is, no. It is not up to the child to decide where he or she wants to reside if his or her parents are separated. The parents must resolve this issue between themselves. The child’s views must be considered, based on his or her age and level of maturity. It sometimes happens where a child resides with one parent, and the other parent wants to manipulate the situation. He or she would try to get the child to get the primary caregiver to agree that primary care is reversed. For example, by promising the child something so that the child would act in a certain way which would change the living arrangements. This is not in the child’s best interests.

How can I get full custody of my child without going to court?

Custody is a factual issue. In other words, a parent can be caring for a child on his or her own for years. In such a case, he or she is exercising sole custody over the child. The parents may even agree that the child remains with one parent. Therefore, in such a case, that parent would have full custody. Therefore, it is not necessary to go to court if you are already exercising sole custody over your child. However, it often happens that parents want to formalise this situation with a Court Order. In such a case, approaching the court is necessary. 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

Below are some examples of frequently asked questions on the above topic. If they apply to you, feel free to set-up a consultation with us to discuss them.

What are grounds for sole custody?

Is sole custody permanent?

What are the benefits of sole custody?

How do I fight for full custody?

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

What is the difference between full and sole custody?

Can you get child support with full custody?

Can you file for full custody Online?

Can a father take a child away from the mother?

Can you get a free lawyer for custody?

Do you need a lawyer to get child custody?

Can a parent with sole custody deny visitation?

Can I move if I have sole custody?

Can I deny visitation to the father?

Can you go to jail for denying visitation?

Do I have to allow visitation without a court order?

What do I do if my child refuses visitation?

Can I take my child with me if I leave my husband?

What custody arrangement is best for a child?

How do I get full custody of my child in South Africa?

What does it mean to have sole custody?

What is the definition of sole custody?

What does it mean when you have sole custody?

What do courts look for in a custody battle?

How do you act in court for child custody?

Is a custody battle worth it?

What are the benefits of sole custody?

What are good reasons to get full custody?

Can I move if I have full custody?

How a father can lose a custody battle?

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

Why do fathers lose custody?

Is there a difference between full custody and sole custody?

How does a parent get sole custody?

What rights do I have with sole physical custody?

Who has custody if there is no agreement?

Can I see my child without a court order?

Can a father take a child away from the mother?

Can a father take a child from the mother in South Africa?

What percentage of fathers get custody?

Do you have to go to court for custody?

How can I get full custody of my child without going to court?

Can sole custody be taken away?

What is the difference between sole custody and termination of parental rights?

Can a father get away without paying child support?

Can I take my child with me if I leave my husband?

How much does a custody modification cost?

Can a mother get custody with no job?

What happens when you file for full custody?

How do I get full custody in South Africa?

What can I expect in custody court?

How long can a child custody battle last?

How do I go to court for child custody?

What is the normal visitation for a father?

What is the average custody agreement?

How can a father get 50 50 custody?

How much child maintenance should a father pay South Africa?

At what age can a child choose which parent to live within South Africa?

What age can you legally leave a child home alone in South Africa?

How a father can lose a custody battle?

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

Why do fathers lose custody?

Can a father take a child away from the mother?

Can a mother legally keep her child away from the father?

Can a mother take away a father’s rights?

How can I get full custody of my child without going to court?

What can I do if my child is not given to me for visitation?

Can a parent kidnap their child South Africa?

Can a parent with sole custody deny visitation?

Is sole custody permanent?

Can I move if I have sole custody?

What do courts look for in a custody battle?

How do you prove you should have full custody?

Is a custody battle worth it?

What are grounds for sole custody?

Do you get child support with sole custody?

What are my rights if I have sole custody?

What are the benefits of sole custody?

Is sole custody the same as full custody?

What is the difference between sole custody and termination of parental rights?

What does it mean to have sole custody?

What custody arrangement is best for a child?

What does a father need to get full custody?

Can visitation be denied to a father?

Do I have to allow visitation without a court order?

How can a father lose his visitation rights?

Does a mother automatically have full custody?

How far can I move with full custody?

How can a woman lose custody of her child?

Can a father take a child away from the mother?

How can I get full custody of my child without going to court?

How do I get sole parental responsibility?

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

Why do fathers lose custody?

What age can a family advocate interview?

Can I stop my child seeing his father?

Can a father get away without paying child support?

Can I take my child with me if I leave my husband?

Do I need a lawyer for child support modification?

Can you get a free lawyer for custody?

Do you need a lawyer for a custody battle?

Is a custody battle worth it?

How do you fight a sociopath in custody?

What can I expect in custody court?

What do courts look for in a custody battle?

Can I get married during a custody battle?

How do you deal with a custody battle?

How do you win a custody battle against a narcissist?

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