by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction Cohabitation, commonly referred to as living together or being in a life partnership, has become increasingly common in South Africa. Many couples choose not to marry for personal, cultural, or financial reasons, often believing that long-term...
by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction A common question posed by unmarried parents is whether it is legally possible to share custody of a child. Many assume that shared custody is reserved only for married or divorced parents. This assumption is incorrect. South African family law recognises...
by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
There is no fixed formula for calculating child maintenance in South Africa. Maintenance is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering: The reasonable needs of the child; Each parent’s income and earning capacity; Each parent’s financial obligations; The standard...
by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction Child maintenance is one of the most common and contentious issues arising between unmarried parents. A persistent misconception is that a parent’s obligation to maintain a child depends on marriage or contact rights. In South African law, this is...
by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction In South Africa, a significant number of children are born to parents who are not married to one another. Unmarried mothers often assume primary caregiving responsibilities and may be uncertain about their legal rights and obligations, particularly when...
