26/02/2024 Bertus Preller Alimony, Antenuptial Contracts, Child Maintenance, Children, Costs, Divorce, Interim Maintenance, Maintenance, Rule 43, Rule 43 Cost Contributions, Spousal Maintenance accrual system, Asset Division, best interests of children, child maintenance, Court Decisions, court ruling, Divorce, divorce litigation, Equality of Arms, equitable distribution, Family Court, Family Law, financial disparity, Financial Disputes, interim relief, Legal Costs, legal obligations, legal principles, Legal proceedings, Legal Representation, maintenance determination, marital breakdown, marital standard of living, matrimonial assets, Parental Responsibilities, Rule 43, South Africa, spousal maintenance, Uniform Rules of Court Deciphering Divorce: A Rule 43 Ruling on Maintenance and a Contribution to Legal Costs – M Q v V S (0221062023) 2024 ZAGPJHC 188 (23 February 2024). Introduction to the Application for Maintenance and Legal Contributions In this Rule 43 application the court was presented with an intricate application concerning the financial sustenance and legal cost contributions… READ MORE
10/02/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Procedural Law, Procedure, Universal Partnership amendment, amendment application, Asset Division, Court Directives, De Klerk v Du Plessis, defence preparation, divorce proceedings, excipiable issues, judicial decision, Judicial Service Commission v Cape Bar Council, legal amendments, Legal Analysis, legal objections, legal practice, Legal precedents, legal ruling, Legal Strategy, litigation, Manyatshe v South African Post Office, non-joinder, particulars of claim, PITMAN AJ, procedural fairness, profit motive, Smith v Conelect, South African Law, special plea, universal partnership Procedural Law – Amending a Particulars of Claim – M-B.F.M v H.P.N.P (5182/2022P) [2024] ZAKZPHC 8 (8 February 2024). Introduction to the Amendment Dispute In a noteworthy case, PITMAN AJ presided over a case that brought to the fore a contentious issue regarding the amendment of the particulars of… READ MORE
27/01/2024 Bertus Preller Abuse, Adultery, Coercive Control, Costs, Divorce, Emotional Abuse, Financial Abuse, Forfeiture of Benefits, In Community of Property, Infidelity, Physical Abuse, Psychological Abuse, Reasons for Dicorce Asset Division, asset forfeiture in divorce, court evidence, court judgments, divorce case analysis, Divorce Law, divorce litigation, divorce outcomes, divorce settlements, equitable distribution, extra-marital affairs, family court dynamics, family law case studies, forfeiture, legal implications, Legal proceedings, Legal Strategy, marital breakdown, Marriage Dissolution, matrimonial conduct, matrimonial disputes, patrimonial benefits, personal conduct, physical abuse, protection orders, South African Family Law, spousal allegations, spousal behavior, spouse behavior in divorce Infidelity, Abuse, and Forfeiture: Behind the Gavel – Deciphering the Role of Personal Conduct in Divorce Outcomes in South African Courts. – M.F.B v J.B (5674/2016) [2024] ZALMPPHC 7 (24 January 2024). Background and Claims In the case presided over by Naude-Odendaal J, the Plaintiff M.F.B filed for divorce against the Defendant J.B on 23 November 2016. The Plaintiff sought a decree… READ MORE
27/01/2024 Bertus Preller Alimony, Children, Costs, Maintenance, Parental Rights, Rule 43, Rule 43 Cost Contributions, Spousal Maintenance acrimonious divorce, Asset Division, Child Custody, child maintenance, children's act, Constitutional Rights, court judgment, Divorce, divorce litigation, divorce settlement, Family Advocate, Family Court, Family Law, family trust, financial dependence, financial disclosure, interim maintenance, Legal Costs, Legal Fees, Legal Representation, marital property, marital regime, matrimonial disputes, Mediation, Rule 43, Separation, South Africa, spousal support, Uniform Rules of Court Unravelling the Tangles of Divorce: A South African Rule 43 – Case Study on Interim Maintenance and Legal Costs – T.C v B.C (21300/2022) [2024] ZAGPJHC 48 (25 January 2024). Background In this case, presided over by Mahomed AJ, an application was made for interim maintenance and a contribution toward legal costs, in line with Rule 43 of the Uniform… READ MORE
18/01/2024 Bertus Preller Cohabitation, Common Law Marriage in South Africa, Common Law Wife, Life Partnerships, Living Together, Universal Partnership Asset Division, cohabitation, Cohabiting Couples, Contemporary Society, Evolving Norms, Family Law, Historical Origins, Landmark Cases, legal challenges, Legal Framework, Legal Protections, legal recognition, Marriage Alternatives, Modern Relationships, non-marital relationships, Partnership Criteria, Partnership Dissolution, relationship dynamics, Relationship Rights, Roman Law, Roman-Dutch Law, South African Law, Support Obligations, Universal Partnerships UNLOCKING THE LEGAL MYSTERIES OF UNIVERSAL PARTNERSHIPS: NAVIGATING SOUTH AFRICA’S MODERN RELATIONSHIP LANDSCAPE. OVERVIEW OF LEGAL RECOGNITION OF UNIVERSAL PARTNERSHIPS Definition and Essence Universal partnerships, in legal terms, refer to a form of partnership where individuals share their lives and resources in a… READ MORE
11/01/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, In Community of Property, Non-Patrimonial Assets Asset Division, community property, constitutional law, discrimination in marriage, divorce settlements, Family Law, joint estate, legal implications, legal interpretation, legal precedent, legal reform, LH v ZH case, marriage in community of property, marriage law, matrimonial assets, matrimonial property law, matrimonial property regimes, non-patrimonial damages, pre-marital assets, Section 18(a) MPA, South Africa, spousal rights, Supreme Court of Appeal Navigating Matrimonial Property Rights: Insights from the LH v ZH Case – LH v ZH (2022) 1 SA 384 (SCA). OVERVIEW OF THE LH V ZH CASE AND MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY LAW IN SOUTH AFRICA The case of LH v ZH (2022) 1 SA 384 (SCA) presents a pivotal moment in… READ MORE
10/01/2024 Bertus Preller Divorce, Separation Applications Asset Division, court decision, divorce case study, divorce ruling, fair judgement, Family Law, financial disclosure in divorce, High Court ruling, Judge Thulare, Legal Analysis, legal precedent, Legal proceedings, legal strategy in divorce, matrimonial dispute, matrimonial law, matrimonial relief, Rule 33(4), Rule 43, separation application, South African Law, spousal maintenance, Uniform Rules of Court, urgent divorce application Judge Thulare’s Insightful Ruling on a Separation Application and Fairness in M.V v E.V (nee VS) [2023] ZAWCHC 330 – Divorce Case. – (14 December 2023). BACKGROUND Marriage and Family: The parties, M.V (applicant) and E.V (respondent), were married on 21 October 1995 under an antenuptial contract excluding the accrual system. They had two children, with… READ MORE
18/12/2023 Bertus Preller Life Partnerships, Living Together, Universal Partnership Asset Division, Business Partnerships, Cohabitation Agreements, cohabitation rights, Common-Law Relationships, Contractual Relationships, Joint Ventures, legal obligations, Legal Protection, Legal Rights, Non-Marital Partnerships, Partnership Dissolution, Personal Rights, Prescription Law, Prescription Period, Property Division, South African Law, Universal Partnerships, unmarried couples Dividing the Fruits of A Universal Partnership – The Prescription Dilemma in Khan v Shaik (641/2019) [2020] ZASCA 108. Introduction In the Supreme Court of Appeal case of Khan v Shaik (641/2019) ZASCA 108, the South African courts grappled with a nuanced and complex question: Can a claim for… READ MORE
23/11/2023 Bertus Preller Accrual Calculation, anti-dissipatory relief, Divorce, Marital Regimes, Settlement agreements Accrual Calculation, Antenuptial Contract, Asset Disclosure, Asset Division, Court Rulings, Divorce Law, divorce proceedings, divorce settlements, Estate Valuation, Financial Outcomes, Financial Settlements, legal implications, Legal Insights, Liability Consideration, Marital Assets., Marriage Dissolution, matrimonial property, Matrimonial Property Act, Property Valuation, South African Law Timing is Everything: The Crucial Role of Accrual Calculation Date in Divorce Cases. R.D.M v M.T.M (M608/22) [2023] ZANWHC 216 (21 November 2023). The facts of the case, as presented in the judgment, revolve around an application for the provisional sequestration of the respondent's estate, following the dissolution of a marriage under South… READ MORE
21/11/2023 Bertus Preller Alimony, Divorce, Maintenance, Spousal Maintenance Asset Division, court interpretation, Divorce Act 1979, Divorce Law, equitable settlement, financial assessment, financial settlement, Legal Analysis, legal precedent, maintenance case, marital standard of living, marriage duration, South Africa, spousal support Navigating the Complexities of Spousal Maintenance: Insights from the Landmark J.E.R (Nee O) v B.E.S – Appeal (A16/2023; 15871/16) [2023] ZAWCHC 291 (20 November 2023). Divorce Case. Facts of the Case Parties: The case involves J.E.R. (nee O), the appellant, and B.E.S, the respondent. They were married and are now undergoing divorce proceedings. Marriage Duration: The couple… READ MORE