Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
TL;DR Child custody for fathers is decided on the child’s best interests, not gender. Courts reward stability, routine, and evidence – not anger or blame. A practical parenting plan and clean communication usually outperform emotional arguments. If the matter is escalating, get advice early to prevent avoidable damage. Quick answer: child custody for fathers in […]
Changes to parental leave law When it comes to taking time off work to care for a newborn infant (or newly adopted child), Norway and Bulgaria are the best places to live, both in terms of duration and pay. The UK comes next, with other European countries as well as New Zealand and Canada making […]
Relocating with children after divorce is one of the most sensitive and complex issues in family law. Whether you are moving within South Africa or abroad, the law requires that every decision be made in the best interests of the child. At SD Law, we’ve guided parents through this process for over a decade — […]
Protecting children through temporary care You may have read the brilliant retelling of David Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver, called Demon Copperhead. It tells the story of Demon, who was passed from foster home to foster home, often living in appalling conditions, before winding up addicted to opioids. (The story has a happy ending; he goes […]
Protecting children’s best interests Couples are encouraged to make a will when they marry, and to keep that will up to date. It is particularly important to amend the will on the birth of children, not only to specify the financial arrangements for their care should the worst happen, but also to appoint a legal […]
This Father’s Day/Youth Day, we reflect on fatherhood and young fathers Father’s Day coincides with Youth Day this year, and this provides an opportunity to reflect on the role…some would say plight…of young fathers, over 90% of whom are unmarried and not living with the mother of their child, as well as on the rights […]
Reprinted from timeslive.co.za, by Rorisang Kgosana – 2024-05-13 A father is in danger of losing custody of his children after pleading guilty to spanking them, saying he was unaware that chastisement was now regarded as a crime. The Centurion father, 36, is awaiting sentencing after admitting to the court that he hit his children, aged […]
High Court ruling spells changes to parental leave provisions in BCEA A landmark judgment was handed down by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg within the last week, which heralds a significant change to the provisions for parental leave after the birth of a child in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of […]
Why you need to appoint a legal guardian for your children in your will If you have children, you need a will. If you die without a will, this is known as dying intestate or in a state of intestacy. Nearly 75% of South Africans die without having a valid will. If this happens, your […]
Addicted parents – balancing rights with responsibilities With every right comes a responsibility. In no sphere of life is this more true than when it comes to parenting. Do parents have a right to see their children? Yes, they do. But the rights and best interests of the child take precedence. There are circumstances in […]
What are the rights and responsibilities of unmarried mothers and fathers? We’ve written a lot about the rights…and responsibilities…of parents in the event of divorce. As divorce attorneys, you would expect this of us. But SD Law is not just a firm of divorce lawyers. We are family lawyers. And families come in all shapes […]
It may sound odd, but children can benefit from their parents’ divorce Much has been written about the damage caused to children by divorce, but is there another side to the story? Are there ways in which children benefit from divorce? Experts believe they can and do. Let’s look at some of the ways divorce […]
