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Divorce and Maintenance

Advice, guidance and representation in relation to divorce and maintenance, mediation, negotiation, investigations, drafting of documentation and agreements, initiation of proceedings and all other matters relating to divorce and maintenance.

Team
Insights

Chang-Lin Dirks

Associate, Dispute Resolution

Chang-Lin is an Associate in the Family law Department of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Her primary focus and service... areas include, divorces, children’s matters, maintenance, domestic violence, cohabitation agreements, changes to marital property regimes and general advises on matrimonial property law as a tool in estate planning. Chang-Lin is also an admitted notary public and this adds immense value to her role as a family law advisor and particularly the role of marital property laws in well strategized estate planning.

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Bloemfontein

Send email

+27 51 400 4024

+27 51 400 4161

+27 81 449 5201

Nigel Masalla

Legal Advice Officer, Access to Justice Unit

Nigel is a Legal Advice Officer in our Access to Justice Unit providing legal advice and support to the community... of Kathu in collaboration with strategic partners of the firm.

BOOK CONSULTATION PROFILE

Bloemfontein

Send email

+27 51 400 4016

+27 76 015 9277

Chang-Lin Dirks

Associate, Dispute Resolution

BOOK CONSULTATION PROFILE

Bloemfontein

Send email

+27 51 400 4024

+27 51 400 4161

+27 81 449 5201

Nigel Masalla

Legal Advice Officer, Access to Justice Unit

Nigel is a Legal Advice Officer in our Access to Justice Unit providing legal advice and support to the community... of Kathu in collaboration with strategic partners of the firm.

BOOK CONSULTATION PROFILE

Bloemfontein

Send email

+27 51 400 4016

+27 76 015 9277

From courtroom battles to common ground: Mediation and divorce

01 July 2025, Chang-Lin Dirks

Mediation in divorce is often mistaken for couples therapy, but it’s an alternative form of dispute resolution — helping separating... partners work through the terms of their divorce with the help of an independent third party.

601

Article

Can you challenge maintenance when you’re in arrears?

03 December 2024

The duty to maintain a child is of utmost importance. But what happens when your financial circumstances change, causing you... to fall behind on maintenance payments? Can you challenge the maintenance order in such a situation?

1587

Article

The Two-Pot Pension System and divorce

03 October 2024, Chang-Lin Dirks

The new Pension Funds Amendment Act 31 of 2024 (“PFAA”) that was recently signed into law not only introduces far-reaching... consequences in respect of pension funds but also impacts the position of pension interest and divorce. In this article, we look at some of the key impact areas of the PFAA in respect of divorce.

3787

Article

#MandelaDay: gender equality for separated parents

18 July 2024

Gender equality in parental rights is a major goal in the South African legal system.

994

Article

Mediation – a go-to option for divorcing couples

27 June 2024, Chang-Lin Dirks

At the heart of divorce proceedings, lies an intense personal battle between spouses. Enter mediation as a growing alternative dispute... resolution mechanism aiming to preserve relationships and protect the psychological and emotional well-being of children and adults by avoiding drawn-out and combative court proceedings. In this article, we take a b

874

Article

Legal change: South Africa recognises Muslim marriages

29 May 2024

The non-recognition of Muslim marriages, which have not been registered as civil marriages, was deemed unconstitutional.

2588

Article

When a spouse hides assets away in a trust…

15 January 2024

In a divorce, it may transpire that one spouse has during the marriage transferred assets to a trust. This raises... the question of whether such trust assets are excluded from the calculation of accrual where the parties are married out of community with the accrual system. In this article, we take a look at what has been termed ‘alter ego&rsqu

6738

Article

Navigating spousal maintenance in your Antenuptial contract

06 November 2023, Chang-Lin Dirks

When getting married a common option for couples is to select getting married out of community of property with the... accrual system. This requires an antenuptial contract to be drawn up by a notary. But what happens if one of the spouses wishes to also in the antenuptial contract exclude the right to claim maintenance should they get divorced. Is th

2011

Article

Spousal Consent: unveiling the challenges in community of property marriages

29 May 2023

When spouses are married in community of property, our law dictates that a spouse requires the consent of the other... spouse when entering into a transaction that affects the joint estate. But what happens when one spouse refuses to provide consent?

4598

Article

Can you stop your spouse from sharing in your pension fund after divorce?

28 March 2023, Chang-Lin Dirks

Can a spouse married in community of property at divorce claim that the other spouse forfeits their right to share... in their pension?

2100

Article

We do not wish to marry; how do we regulate our relationship?

09 March 2023

With the increase in the number of divorces and decline in marriages in South Africa, what legal protection is available... to ex-spouses, separated partners or domestic life partners?

1733

Article

Is an agreement between spouses contrary to the ANC valid?

10 January 2023

Can spouses conclude an agreement which is contrary to their antenuptial contract and which is valid and enforceable?

1715

Article

From courtroom battles to common ground: Mediation and divorce

01 July 2025, Chang-Lin Dirks

601

Article

Can you challenge maintenance when you’re in arrears?

03 December 2024

1587

Article

The Two-Pot Pension System and divorce

03 October 2024, Chang-Lin Dirks

3787

Article

#MandelaDay: gender equality for separated parents

18 July 2024

Gender equality in parental rights is a major goal in the South African legal system.

994

Article

Mediation – a go-to option for divorcing couples

27 June 2024, Chang-Lin Dirks

874

Article

Legal change: South Africa recognises Muslim marriages

29 May 2024

The non-recognition of Muslim marriages, which have not been registered as civil marriages, was deemed unconstitutional.

2588

Article

When a spouse hides assets away in a trust…

15 January 2024

6738

Article

Navigating spousal maintenance in your Antenuptial contract

06 November 2023, Chang-Lin Dirks

2011

Article

Spousal Consent: unveiling the challenges in community of property marriages

29 May 2023

4598

Article

Can you stop your spouse from sharing in your pension fund after divorce?

29 March 2023, Chang-Lin Dirks

Can a spouse married in community of property at divorce claim that the other spouse forfeits their right to share... in their pension?

2100

Article

We do not wish to marry; how do we regulate our relationship?

09 March 2023

With the increase in the number of divorces and decline in marriages in South Africa, what legal protection is available... to ex-spouses, separated partners or domestic life partners?

1733

Article

Is an agreement between spouses contrary to the ANC valid?

10 January 2023

Can spouses conclude an agreement which is contrary to their antenuptial contract and which is valid and enforceable?

1715

Article

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Office Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Closed on weekends and Public Holidays

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Get In Touch

Careers

Candidate Legal Practitioners

Professionals

Working for Us

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Corporate

Offices

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