24/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights best interests, biological father, bonding therapy, Child Custody, children's act, co-parenting communication, emotional well-being, Family Court, interim contact, Latest Family Law Cases, Legal proceedings, Legal Representation, minor care, primary residence, safe haven, secure attachment, sexual abuse, social worker reports, therapeutic consultation, Urgent Application Understanding the Nuances of Child Custody: A Detailed Analysis of a Recent Interim Contact Case – M.D.B and Another v C.N (2023-113226) [2023] ZAGPPHC 1913 (17 November 2023). Introduction The judgment by Van der Schyff J involved applicants seeking interim contact with a minor child, M, who was previously under their care. The case was presented in the… READ MORE
21/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Relocation, Views of the Child child maintenance, Child Relocation, child welfare, Children's Best Interests, Court Orders, Cross-Continental Relocation, Custodian Parent, Divorce, Dubai, Family Law, International Relocation, Legal Custody, Legal Jurisdiction, Legal precedents, Legal Representation, Parental Responsibilities, Parental Rights, parenting plan, South Africa Navigating International Waters: A South African Family Law Case on Child Relocation to Dubai. – TS v S D D – Case Number: 7389/2023 – 20 November 2023. Holderness AJ INTRODUCTION Application by the Mother: The applicant, the mother of two children, S (15 years old) and K (11 years old), sought several legal reliefs. These included: Permission… READ MORE
15/11/2023 Bertus Preller Alimony, Children, Costs, Divorce, Interim Maintenance, Maintenance, Parental Rights, Rule 43, Spousal Maintenance best interests principle, Child Custody, Children's Welfare, Court Orders, divorce litigation, divorce proceedings, equitable treatment, Family Law, financial disclosure, financial imbalances., financial transparency, interim relief, legal costs contribution, maintenance pendente lite, matrimonial property, new family law case, Parental Responsibilities, Rule 43 applications, South African Law, spousal support, temporary orders Avoiding Pitfalls: Key Lessons from a Rule 43 Divorce Showdown. SN v SR (2023/036122) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1335 (14 November 2023) Introduction and Background Marriage and Separation: The applicant and the respondent had been married since 25 August 2007, out of community of property with accrual. They had two minor children.… READ MORE
14/11/2023 Bertus Preller Alienation, Children, Contempt of Court, Divorce, Parental Rights Child Custody, Compliance with Orders, contempt of court, Contempt Proceedings, Court Jurisdiction, Court Orders, Courtroom Insights, Deed of Settlement, Divorce Decree, Family Advocate, Family Law, Family Legal Issues, judicial authority, Jurisdiction Issues, Legal Analysis, Legal Standards, Parental Rights, Parenting Disputes, Recent Case, South African Law Demystifying Contempt of Court in Family Law: Lessons from a Recent Case. P L v R L (2022/016375) ZAGPJHC 1331 (10 November 2023) Introduction to the Case In a recent application, the court examined an opposed application divided into three parts, with… READ MORE
14/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Divorce, Guardianship, Parental Rights, Views of the Child 2023, alcohol influence, best interests of children, C D v M D, child custody dispute, child's preference in custody, children's voices in custody, divorce proceedings, emotional welfare of children, family advocate involvement, Family Law, forensic investigation in custody, judicial interviews, legal aid in family law, legal representation for children, parental influence on children., Parental Responsibilities, primary care assessment, South African High Court, ZAGPPHC 1231 Listening to the Unheard: How a South African Court Prioritised Children’s Voices in a Landmark Care and Contact Decision. C D v M D (093505/2023) ZAGPPHC 1231 (7 November 2023) A. Introduction Unnecessary Litigation in Family Disputes In this case, the court highlighted the issue of unnecessary litigation in… READ MORE
13/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Guardianship, Parental Rights Access to Justice, Case Backlogs, child welfare, Children's Amendment Act 17 of 2022, Children's Courts, Family Law Amendments, Family Law Transformation, guardianship, Guardianship Rights, High Court, Jurisdiction Expansion, Legal Consents, Legal Guardianship, Legal proceedings, Legal Recourse, Legal System, Parental Responsibilities, South African Family Law, Systemic Strain Understanding the New Children’s Act 17 of 2022: A Landmark Shift in South African Family Law. Introduction The South African legal landscape witnessed a significant legislative shift with the enactment of the Children's Amendment Act 17 of 2022. This landmark change introduced the jurisdiction of Children's… READ MORE
26/10/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Views of the Child best interests of the child, children's act, contested guardianship, emotional needs, expert investigation, familial bonds, familial relationships, family dynamics, guardianship, independent expert, intellectual needs, interim contact, judicial investigation, legal precedent, psychological assessment, Section 23, Section 24, Section 7, South African High Court, upper guardian The Balancing Act: When Uncles Step In. A Child’s Best Interests, and How a South African Court Navigated Familial Bonds. D.T and Another v M.A.M.F (2023/032929) ZAGPJHC 1204 (24 October 2023) Background and Points in Limine The case revolved around the first and second applicants, who were the uncles of… READ MORE
24/10/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Divorce, Interim Maintenance, Maintenance, Parental Rights, Rule 43, Views of the Child Bertus Preller, Child Custody, Court Decisions, Divorce Attorney Cape Town, Divorce Attorney South Africa, divorce proceedings, Family Law, Family Lawyers, financial disclosure, High Court, Legal Costs, Legal Diligence, Legal Ethics, legal implications, legal precedent, Legal Procedures, Legal Requirements, maintenance pendente lite, Minor Children, Office of the Family Advocate, Parental Responsibilities, Practice Directives, Rule 43, South Africa, views of the child Setting the Standard: A Comprehensive High Court Judgment on Family Law That Redefines Attorney Conduct and The Views of the Child. C.T v T.E.T (9685/2022) ZAWCHC 262 (13 October 2023) Court and Case Details The case was heard in the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, Cape Town, presided… READ MORE
19/10/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Relocation Alston Primary School, Alternative Redress, best interests of the child, Children’s Court, Judicial Discretion, Legal Costs, Legal Framework, MM vs NM, Parental Rights, Primary Caregiver, protection order, School Enrollment, Section 28(2) of the Constitution, Section 31 of the Children's Act, Self-Created Urgency, South African Family Law, St. Charles College, Uniform Rule 6, Urgent Application Urgency or Delay? A Deep Dive into a South African Family Law Case Involving Schooling and Parental Rights. MM v NM and Others (15133/23P) ZAKZPHC 117 (18 October 2023) Introduction In a recent case presided over by Davis AJ, MM (the applicant) filed an urgent application against NM… READ MORE
04/10/2023 Bertus Preller Adversarial Legal System, Children, Divorce, Marriage, Parental Rights, Rule 43 Adversarial Proceedings, Bertus Preller, Child-Centric Divorce, Divorce Attorney Cape Town, Divorce News, Document Submissions, Family Law, High Court Judgment, Legal Narrative, Marital Discord, Parental Coordination, Psychological Intervention, Rule 43 Untangling the Web of Adversary: A High Court Cry for Child-Centric Divorce Proceedings. D.W.A v C.A - Rule 43 Application (1126/2022) ZAECQBHC 53 (26 September 2023) In a recent judgment emanating from the High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Local Division - Gqeberha,… READ MORE