How to apply for a divorce in South Africa If you need to apply for a divorce in South Africa, the process is more structured than most people expect, and understanding the correct steps from the outset can save you months of delay and significant cost. The Divorce Act 70 of 1979 remains the primary […]

How a Divorce Settlement Is Structured When There Are Children, Property and Business Interests in South Africa When a marriage ends and the separating couple has minor children, immovable property, pension entitlements and one or more business interests at stake, the divorce settlement becomes a multi-layered negotiation that must satisfy both the court and the […]

How Relocation Applications for Children Are Decided in South Africa Few issues in South African family law generate as much anxiety, and as much litigation, as a parent’s wish to move with a child to a new city or country. Understanding how relocation applications for children are decided in South Africa is essential for any […]

Sole Care vs Shared Parenting in South Africa: Which Arrangement Is Better for Your Children? When parents separate in South Africa, the question of sole care vs shared parenting becomes the single most consequential decision affecting their children’s daily lives, emotional wellbeing and long-term development. The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 does not prescribe a […]

Rights of Unmarried Parents After Separation in South Africa When unmarried parents in South Africa separate, the legal landscape governing their children’s welfare is markedly different from what divorcing spouses face, yet the stakes are identical. Understanding the rights of unmarried parents after separation in South Africa requires a clear grasp of the Children’s [...]

Mediation vs Court Litigation in a South African Family Dispute: Which Should You Choose? When a family relationship breaks down in South Africa, whether through divorce, a parenting dispute or a disagreement over maintenance, the single most important strategic decision you will make is how to resolve it. Choosing between mediation vs court litigation in […]

What Happens If Your Former Partner Refuses to Pay Child Maintenance in South Africa? Few things are more stressful for a custodial parent than watching a maintenance payment date pass with nothing reflected in your bank account. If you are wondering what happens if your former partner refuses to pay child maintenance in South Africa, […]

What to Do When Your Former Partner Is Blocking Contact with Your Child in South Africa Few experiences are as distressing as discovering that your former partner is blocking contact with your child, whether by refusing phone calls, cancelling scheduled visits, or simply disappearing with the child and cutting off all communication. As a family […]

What To Do If Your Former Partner Is Threatening to Relocate Your Child Overseas (South Africa) If your former partner is threatening to take your child overseas from South Africa, you need to act quickly, and you need to know exactly what the law allows you to do. At Simpson Attorneys, I deal with urgent […]

  BLENDED FAMILIES: WHEN THE CONDUCT OF A STEPPARENT CREATES OBLIGATION For many years, the law has been criticised for lagging behind the lived realities of modern society. Family structures have evolved significantly, yet the law has often remained rooted in traditional notions of the nuclear family. Increasingly, however, South African courts appear willing to […]