by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction Life partnerships-long-term, unmarried relationships where partners share a domestic life-have become increasingly common in South Africa. Unlike married spouses, life partners do not benefit from the automatic legal protections marriage affords. As such,...
by elijah | Jan 13, 2026 | Blog
Introduction Life partnerships, often referred to as permanent or long-term relationships between unmarried partners, are increasingly common in South Africa. Many couples choose to live together without marrying, believing that the duration or seriousness of their...
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...
