Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
When family, business and divorce collide In South Africa, trust assets are not automatically included in a divorce. However, where a spouse controls a trust as an alter ego, courts may include its assets in accrual or redistribution claims. In South Africa, businesses are often family-owned, and the family’s wealth is often structured through trusts […]
What the Constitutional Court’s surname decision means for marriage in South Africa In Jordaan v Minister of Home Affairs (2025), the Constitutional Court ruled that South African law unfairly discriminated against men by preventing husbands from automatically adopting their wife’s surname. Parliament must amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act to allow equal surname choices […]
Divorce mediation with children (South Africa, 2026): how to build a parenting plan, set maintenance properly, reduce conflict, and avoid the pitfalls that make agreements collapse.
Divorce mediation cost in South Africa (2026): what you pay for, typical cost drivers, timelines, and how to avoid paying twice when mediation fails.
Is divorce mediation worth it in South Africa (2026)? Pros, cons, costs, timelines, and the red flags that make mediation fail—plus what to do instead.
How divorce mediation works in South Africa (2026): a step-by-step process, what to prepare, costs and timelines, children and parenting plans, and when mediation fails.
This divorce mediation checklist (South Africa, 2026) covers the documents to prepare, the questions to ask, and the red flags that make mediation fail. Use it to arrive with disclosure, a realistic budget, and a settlement-first plan.
TL;DR — Uncontested divorce checklist An uncontested divorce checklist helps you get divorced faster by avoiding missing documents and vague agreements. You must agree on property division, maintenance and (if applicable) children’s arrangements. Most delays come from incomplete settlement terms, poor service, or missing parenting details. If there are complex assets, foreign elements, or children, get […]
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 […]
Reclaiming your life after an abusive relationship Throughout 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we’ve been looking at breaking free of an abusive relationship. It’s shocking how many women live with abuse, sometimes for decades. The problem is not unique to South Africa. It is global, oblivious to social class […]
Planning for the future after leaving an abusive relationship Key points: Establishing a support network: The role of friends, family, and domestic violence support organisations Safety precautions when confiding plans Using prepaid phones and alternative internet access to maintain secrecy Legal considerations: Prioritising legal aspects, such as obtaining protection orders and understanding custody rights Securing […]
Let 16 Days of Activism this year be the last you spend in an abusive relationship Abusive relationships take many forms. We have written about the dynamics of abusive relationships and the signs of abuse. Abuse may be physical, emotional/psychological (gaslighting, controlling you), sexual, financial (restricting your access to funds or your ability to work), […]
