27/11/2023 Bertus Preller Children, Parental Rights, Views of the Child Child Custody, child development post-divorce, child welfare, child-focused custody, Child's Best Interests, co-parenting challenges, co-parenting dynamics, divorce and children, divorce order amendment, Family court rulings, Family Law, family law litigation, Judicial Discretion, new family law cases, parental guidance in divorce, Parental Responsibilities, parenting plan, parenting stability, post-divorce parenting, routine in child development, South African Family Law Insights from the Bench: Navigating Post-Divorce Parenting and Child’s Best Interests. – L.B v LAE (8551/2022) [2023] ZAGPPHC 1265 (21 November 2023). Erasmus AJ Background This case revolved around the amendment of a parenting plan and a divorce order concerning the contact between the applicant (father) and the minor child, AMB. 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 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
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
26/09/2023 Bertus Preller Antenuptial Contracts, Customary Law, Divorce, Forfeiture of Benefits, Marriage, Parental Rights, Pension Funds Antenuptial Contracts, Asset Division, Bertus Preller, Counterclaims, Divorce Law, Divorce News, Family Law, Financial Obligations, Legal Pleadings, Marital Regimes, Matrimonial Properties Act, Parental Responsibilities The Art of Pleading in Divorce Cases: A Comprehensive Analysis of a recent South African Judgment. Introduction In a recent case heard by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria M.M.A.N v J.M.S (40230/2020) ZAGPPHC 675 (11 August 2023) the plaintiff initiated legal action… READ MORE
22/09/2023 Bertus Preller Abuse, Alimony, Children, Divorce, Financial Disclosure, Forfeiture of Benefits, Maintenance, Marriage, Parental Rights, Pension Funds, Settlement agreements, Spousal Maintenance Asset Division, Bertus Preller, Children's Welfare, court order, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Cape Town, Divorce News, Family Law, Legal Costs, maintenance, Marriage Dissolution, Parental Responsibilities, Pension Forfeiture, Property Valuation, Questionable Conduct, Settlement, South African Law, spousal support When Love Goes Sour and Assets Get Tangled: How One Husband’s Questionable Conduct, Refusal to Settle, and Legal Maneuvering Shaped a Divorce Ruling. N.S v M.F.S (20/27078) ZAGPJHC 1044 (19 September 2023) Litigation History The Defendant represented himself, while the Plaintiff had legal representation. The Defendant filed 12 applications against the Plaintiff, most… READ MORE
27/07/2023 Bertus Preller Alimony, Children, Divorce, Interim Maintenance, Maintenance, Parental Rights, Rule 43, Spousal Maintenance, Trusts Adequate Housing, Bertus Preller, child maintenance, Children's Act 38 of 2005, Constitutional Rights, Contact rights, court order, Divorce Attorney Cape Town, Divorce News, divorce proceedings, Equality of Arms, Family Law, financial disclosure, Legal Costs, maintenance, Maintenance Order, Marital Assets, Parental Responsibilities, Primary Residency, right to dignity, Rule 43, South African Law, spousal support Equality of Arms Upheld: Court Orders Husband to Contribute R805,903 Towards Wife’s Legal Costs in Rule 43 Proceedings. Y.M v T.J.M (26526/2022) ZAGPPHC 582 (13 July 2023) The case involved a dispute between two parties identified as Y.M. and T.J.M. This was an application in terms of Rule… READ MORE
21/07/2023 Bertus Preller Abuse, Alienation, Children, Divorce Bertus Preller, Child Custody, Child Psychology, child welfare, Child's Best Interests, Court Rulings, Divorce, Divorce Attorney Cape Town, Divorce News, Family Court, Family Law, legal precedent, Parental Alienation Syndrome, Parental Responsibilities, Protective Measures, Psychological Impact, South African Family Law, Therapeutic Interventions, ZAGPJHC 2023 Parental Alienation Syndrome and Its Impact on Children: Insights from a Recent South African Case D, TE v G, B (015642/2022) ZAGPJHC --- (13 July 2023) SUMMARY This case pertains to family law and involves an urgent application. The child's best interests are the primary… READ MORE