Family Law
Family law is the legal practice area of South African law focusing on issues involving family relationships such as domestic relationships, civil unions and marriage, divorce and annulment, domestic violence, the best interests of the child, child custody, paternity, parental responsibilities towards children and more.
We assist clients in the following aspects of Family law:
Rule 43 Applications
We assist parties involved in divorce proceedings or who intend to file for divorce to apply for interim relief pending the finalization of the divorce as per Rule 43 at the High Court and 58 at the Magistrates.
Contested Divorces
We assist clients in matters where parties cannot find amicable solutions, where substantial assets, retirement annuities or pension funds, as well as children, are involved.
Uncontested Divorces
In a divorce where all parties are in agreement, we assist in preparing the necessary legal documents to initiate and finalise the divorce: these include the petition for divorce, financial affidavits disclosing each spouse’s assets, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and more.
Customary Marriage Registration
We assist with the legal registration of customary messages which are an indigenous African way of marriage and a form of traditional union recognized and respected by customary law.
Divorce
We assist both plaintiffs and defendants with the drafting and/or defending of divorce summons and handling of the entire divorce proceedings, negotiating settlement agreements, drafting of parenting plans in both the High Courts and the Regional Courts.
Antenuptial and Postnuptial Contracts
When a couple wants to retain their separate property and financial identity when entering into a marriage, an Antenuptial contract is prepared and it excludes the systems of community of property from their marriage. Our experience attorneys can assist in sitting with the couple and preparing the agreement which can then be made an order of the marriage.
Domestic Violence
We assist victims and or survivors of domestic violence who require Emergency orders, protection and restraining orders that are available in South African Law. These are created to help stop future abuse and have the abuser arrested if an order is violated so the victim or survivor is safe from continued abuse. Talk to our experienced team who can assist you in obtaining such an order.
Parental Plans
For parents seeking assistance with preparing rules of engagement with regards to the care of their children during a separation and or divorce, a Parental Plan can be drawn up
Our experienced family lawyers sit with both parents and negotiate and agree on terms of the agreement, which is then registered at the Children’s Court or Family Advocate’s Office.