ABC guide to applying for Child Support/Child Maintenance
Child Maintenance Guide: Written by Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf
The procedures to be followed in instituting a complaint for child maintenance are regulated by the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998. Below is a simple “ABC” guide to get you started in claiming maintenance for yourself, your children or dependents. This I wrote in order to encourage people to claim needed maintenance for their children or for themselves. Remember, the Maintenance Court would be more than happy to assist you with whatever other legal queries you may have. Before I deal with the simple steps that should be followed in claiming maintenance, I shall first deal with the following question:
Q: From whom may maintenance be claimed?
A: Maintenance may be claimed from persons who have a legal obligation to maintain you. For instance, children can claim maintenance from their parents or a wife from her husband and visa versa. Seeing that children are minors, they are assisted by their parent or guardian through the maintenance process, but in actual fact, it is the child who is claiming. For the purposes of the steps below, I shall structure it as if a parent or guardian is claiming maintenance on behalf of the child. 
Income and Expenses – Step 1 …
Get hold of all your proof of income. E.g. pay slips. If you are not working for an employer, you should get hold of proof that you earn a certain amount of money per month. If you are unemployed, that is in order.
Get together a list of all monthly expenses incurred for yourself and your children. This would include rent, groceries, clothes, entertainment, etc. This information is required when filling in the maintenance application form that is dealt with in Step 2 below.
Find out all the details of the person from whom you are requesting maintenance. For example, his/her home and work address and identity number.
Visit the Maintenance Court – Step 2 …
Go to the Maintenance Court closes to your area and obtain an “Application for Maintenance Order Form” also referred to as “Form A”.
Use the information you have gathered in Step 1 and fill in the form. The form is in the form of an affidavit and you, therefore, have to swear to the correctness of the information under oath and sign. Therefore, do not hide any information for the Court.
Caution: If your information is not 100 % correct, you may be cross-examined on such correctness in Court and if it is found that you were not totally honest, this would not be in your favour. If you require any assistance in filling in the form, the maintenance officers would be happy to assist you. Once you have filled in the Application for Maintenance Order Form, return it to the maintenance officer who will process it for you. If the maintenance officer can provide you with a reference/case number there and then, request it. The Maintenance Court will send you and the person you are claiming maintenance from a letter or subpoena to appear at the Maintenance Court for an inquiry with the maintenance officer. Diarise the date immediately and make arrangements with your work and a babysitter as soon as possible. If you miss the date, it can take months to get another.
Get your document in order – Step 3…
From the time you left the office of the maintenance officer and even from the time you decided to claim maintenance, keep all receipts you received for any items bought for you and your child. Therefore, if you buy nappies for your child or even a toy, keep that receipt as if it is gold. This is due to you having to prove to the court that you really do spend money on the child and you have the receipts to prove it.
You will soon hear from the Maintenance Court where they will be giving you a date to appear back at the Maintenance Court for an inquiry. They would either inform you by post or by a subpoena. On that date, both you and the person from whom maintenance is claimed would have to appear. If you are planning on making use of a legal representative, inform him/her early about the date so that he/she can be available to assist you at Court.
In the notice to appear for the maintenance enquiry, it is requested that you bring proof of all expenses and income for you and your child. This is why it is so very important for you to keep all proof of expenditure in a safe place.
Hint: If you can afford to, bring original proof of expenditure and income and a photocopy thereof. The original you would then be able to take back home and bring it back when requested and the copy will stay in the Court file.
The Maintenance Enquiry – Step 4 …
This step deals with the maintenance enquiry where you and the person from whom you are claiming maintenance from will appear before a maintenance officer. The maintenance officer will speak to each of the parties and look at the documents provided. Each party will get a chance to explain why he/she requires maintenance and also why he/she can’t afford the maintenance requested. The maintenance officer will as far as possible try to resolve the matter there and then without it having to go to court. If the parties can agree to an amount, this amount can be made an order of the court. If however an agreement cannot be reached at this stage, the matter, depending on the Court will either be referred to a prosecutor or for trial.
Remember, if you are a father or a person currently paying maintenance/child support, a reduction is possible. The same goes for an application for an increase in maintenance/child support
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Good day,
I’m a single mother whose 26yrs old. I have a son whose 16 months old. I was the only parent supporting my son so now I’m no longer working. The father of my supports him, but his not consistent every month.Sometimes he doesn’t even buy everything that my son needs then I have to ask family members to assist. I have applied for sassa grant now it seems like since I’ve applied the father don’t want to buy anything for my son I have to ask him every month and remind to buy for my son. In this case what do I do. I have a few receipts when I but for my son using my 350srd
Good day
We strongly suggest that you approach the Maintenance Court ASAP.
I got divorced at High Court in August 2017 as the daddy could not be traced. He left home in January 2016. The junior advocate at the time did not make maintenance or any other claims part of the prayer, as she advised me that it would not be possible as he cannot be traced. I have now traced him in 2023. Can I claim maintenance from the time he abandoned home, even though no maintenance order was made part of the divorce order?
Evening
I have 17 years son, his father never supported him since birth and I am struggling to get his father because he moved to Cape Town and I only know his date of birth. I really need child maintenance because there are lot of cost like school transport, fees, uniform, food etc….is there any chance that maintenance court can help me as I am at Eastern Cape and father of child is at Western Cape. I guess I got number and address of the company that he working at if he still working the because there was no communication since I gave birth.
Hi I have a 9 years old boy his father has never supported him till today I have struggling to raise but I tired my best to raised him now I’m married and I still want his father to maintain him couse I can see that he is work the is I don’t know his ID and his work place what can I do to get him is the any other way
Good day, I have a 6months old baby with a Nigeria man, he stays here in SA but isn’t working. He hasn’t done anything for the baby, can filing for maintenance help me?
Yes, you can.
Good day,
I have a 20 year old son soon going to varsity and full time stays with me, i also have a 18 year old still in high school. their father supports them with R1000 a moth jointly since about 16 years ago. All of the day to day expenses of both the children are on me. I customarily married and live on contractual jobs from time to time. When is it too late to apply for child maintenance and is the fact that I’m married disadvantageous to the process? When presenting pay slips, should my husbands pay slips also be part of the supporting documents?
Good day
Your children are adults so they need to apply for maintenance themselves. If they were 17 you could still make the application.
Hi, I have a 7 yrs old daughter whom her father is giving me problems when it comes to support. I don’t know where is staying right now nor workplace but I do have his ID number. What can I do to apply for maintanance
Good day
Approach the maintenance court. They have maintenance investigators to find the father.
Im SA and Father of children Pakistani. Father left 4 years ago for Pakistan and I took care of our 2 children. Now im unemployed and want to know if i can ask court to order him to pay maintanance? He remaried in Pakistan and have more children but never send anything for his children in SA.
Check with your local maintenance court if there is a reciprocal agreement with Pakistan.
Hi, I have recently separated from my husband of 10 years who was throughout our marriage abusive. He remains in our marital home and retains both our vehicles. He recently served me with papers to appear in court as he was applying to retain custody of both our kids, however the judge remanded the case to November.
In the interim I went to the maintenance court to apply for maintenance however they advised that I must wait for the court case outcome because if he gets custody I will not be entitled to any funds from my spouse. Is this true?
Good day
If he is caring for the children and paying for everything, then it would not makes sense for him to pay maintenance to you. However the custody case can take some time, and in the interim, you should be able to claim maintenance.
Hi… I am a teen mom…age of 18 and have a 1 year old girl…Her father has been absent from day 1 and keeps on denying his child… how do I report him so that paternity test may be done and pay for maintaince
Good day. You can still approach the maintenance court. If he there also says he is not the father, they would send you for a paternity test, and then take it from there.
Hi, I’m Phindile Phaka I would like to ask how do I apply for child maintenance when the father denies paternity of the child?… Do I get a court ordered paternity tests or what is it that I am supposed to do?
Good day
You still approach the maintenance court. If the father disputes paternity, the court would direct that he undergoes a test.
I apply for a child support to his father it was last year December at Western Cape then they gave me date to meet at court which was 30/01/2020 then I didn’t manage to attend them
So now I’d like to know what can I do to continue with this application
We advise you to contact the maintenance court again or visit them ASAP.
Good day, my name is Lizzy and I have a child of 13 yrs old. Her father is supporting her by law, I went to maitanance court for increase and my day for court is 29 April. I want to know if I can go to court during this lockdown. Please advise.
Thank you
Good day
Our understanding is that the maintenance courts are only dealing with non-compliance of orders and with next applications. It may be best to call the specific court to find out.
My name is Mpumie I have a twelve year old boy his father has not been supporting him for more than 8 years now I didn’t have a problem with that at first because my family is helping me with the child’s maintenance but now that he is in high school everything is becoming way expensive for me and my family to handle as for the purchase slips I have none because I have not been keeping them however I am unemployed now all I want is for the father to assist with school fees and other school expenses ….my grandmother pays the sassa grant for him and helps with the school fees in the meantime I’m looking for work.
Good day
We advise you to approach the Maintenance Court for a Maintenance Order.
Good day , I am a 30 years old single mother of a 2 years boy. I am currently an intern at a government institution and my contract will expire in May month. The father of my child is a registered nurse but does not support , he supports when feels like it and the money that he provides doesn’t even cover the baby’s expenses. My baby now stays with my mother and because of the struggles and baby being sick all the time, she went and apply for Sassa grant . But still that does not cover everything and I also support whenever I can as I had to relocate for my job and I also have expenses like rent, groceries, public transport, and child maintenance. So will there be a problem to apply for child maintenance in court since the grandmother applied for the Sassa grant? And unfortunately we don’t keep the slips of all the expenses and I do cellphone banking when transferring money to her for the little one.
Please assist, I am in need of financial assistance as my child requires medical care as he grows.
Good day
You can still apply for child maintenance. You should howvever bring to the maintenance court’s attention of the SASSA grant.
Good day , I am a 30 years old single mother of a 2 years boy. I am currently an intern at a government institution and my contract will expire in May month. The father of my child is a registered nurse but does not support , he supports when feels like it and the money that he provides doesn’t even cover the baby’s expenses. My baby now stays with my mother and because of the struggles and baby being sick all the time, she went and apply for Sassa grant . But still that does not cover everything and I also support whenever I can as I had to relocate for my job and I also have expenses like rent, groceries, public transport, and child maintenance. So will there be a problem to apply for child maintenance in court since the grandmother applied for the Sassa grant? And unfortunately we don’t keep the slips of all the expenses and I do cellphone banking when transferring money to her for the little one.
Please assist, I am in need of financial assistance as my child requires medical care as he grows.
Good day
You can still apply for child maintenance. You should howvever bring to the maintenance court’s attention of the SASSA grant.
Hi am a mother of 1year 3months the father of my child does not support the child at first i didn’t have a problem coz I was working but now am no longer working an I told him am going to court for maintanance he told me that they won’t find him coz he is going to Limpopo I know the place I just want to know if it’s possible that they bring him back for court please help
Good day
We advise you go to court.
I am a divorced mother of 3 children. One of our minor children has resided with me since the beginning of 2020. Our eldest child/son, now a major, has also recently moved in with me. He is now a student, attending Bible College. His father refuses to pay maintenance towards our major child living with me. He only pays the R660 Bible College fees and R1000 maintenance towards our minor child. I have to carry all other costs for both children. Can I apply for maintenance for our major child, or should he file his own maintenance application against his father? Our son cannot provide proof of expenditure, as I am carrying all the cost, however, I can provide proof, but I obviously buy most things such as food jointly for both kids. I still have to file my application for maintenance of our minor child, and would need these slips for my own application.
Good day
Your major son should make his own application. You can make copies of the slips and let him use it to show his expenses. If the court wants to see the originals, it can be shown to them.
Hi the father of my child never support his child ever since he was born now his 6 years Still nothing I want to take him to court but when I know where his staying he change the place and stay somewhere were I don’t know…please help
Good day
Go to the maintenance court in any event. They should assist you.
Hey im lady frm south africa at joburg i have 5years child and the father of my baby he is Zimbabwean he dont support a child n he is truck driver at joburg but i dnt knw where.and i also put him at my baby is birth certificate.i can go to court to get maintaince .
Good day
We still advise you to go to the Maintenance Court.
Hello. My brother is married and has 3 kids . His wife is on a learnership paying around R1800.00 per month. My brother doesn’t provide for them. The 2 younger kids are staying with me and I’m the one financially supporting them. Is it possible that sister-in-law can apply for child maintenance for the three kids and spousal maintenance as she doesn’t earn enough to support the kids and herself?
Good day
Yes it is possible.
Hi my name is ntombifuthi a mother of one, a three year old daughter, a father of my child does mantain the child but he skips the months, sometimes he gives the money sometimes he doesn’t can I be able to apply for maintenance? Because when he skips the month I and my daughter suffer because we fail to pay school fees and other things she needs….
Good day
We advise you to approach the maintenance court.
Helo m sethunya from brits I’m 25 year currently pregnant with the boyfriend I had but things ddnt work it out nd he tells me he’s got nothing to do with my pregnancy or the child nd the child is not his
Good day
When the child is born, take him to the maintenance court. If he disputes paternity, a paternitity test would have to take place.
Hello I am 19 years old and I study at Stellenbosch University. Gor the most part of my life my father has failed/refused to pay maintenance for me. My mither has had to take up that responsibility( paying for food, clothing, school, medical aid e.t.c) alone although she has 3 other children. I was doing my 1st year of varsity this year and i reached out to my father to ask him to assist with my monthly expenses, but he still refused to do so. I want to take him to court for child maintance because ny mother is struggling to continue supporting me on her own and the money she gives me every minth is not enough to cover everything. The problem is that i don’t know where my father works or his exact physical address. Also since i am at home in East London for the holidays, should i wait until i return to Stellenbosch to go to court to apply for the child maintance?
I am 23 years old.unemployed..m from Gauteng Tembisa and the father of my child he is located at Cosmo city. Our child is 2 years and the guy never supported the child since she was born.so it is possible to apply for maintenance even when I don’t know where he is working
You can still apply. The Court should appoint a maintenance investigator to try to locate the father.
We have two kids, unfortunately my partner their father has a very bad gambling additions which results in him spending or gambling out his weekly income. This leaves me to then borrow money or find someone to assist with weekly expensens as his currently also lives with us. I earn a monthly salary which I cover the rent and some additional expenses such as medicines, clothing etc. What can I do?
Good day
You should approach the maintenance court.
Good day
I would like to take my child’s father up for maintenance can I get legal assistance and then request for him to cover the legal cost with me seeing that he is refusing to support his child which he never did for 13 years. And will it help with the process to have legal assistance as I heard it take months to resolve and I don’t have the time at work for a lenghtly process. How long does it take for a maintenance process to be concluded.
Regards,
Good day
All courts in South Africa have different workloads. It is best to call your specific court and find out how long they take.
Good day on this issue of maintenance is it possible for a Zimbabwean to claim here in SA ? I have 2kids and the father doesn’t want to support its been 4years and am struggling alone he’s also from Zimbabwe actually all of us but we are here in South Africa so do we need to go back and settle this in Zimbabwe or we can do it here . He is working here in SA at s security company
Good day
You may approach the maintenance court in South Africa even though both parents are from Zimbabwe.
Hi,i am turning 23 this year and I have a two year old. Got a bursary and I’m currently in school. I’d like to know if I can claim maintenance from my father? And would I get maintenance even if I have a child of my own?
Good day
If you are not self-supporting you can claim maintenance from your parents even if you have a child.
Good day, my name is Hennie im 23 years old I was studying electrical engineering then I stopped after my father stop paying my fees because my step mother wasn’t happy for me studying. He then kicked me out of the house then I found a job and rent a place to stay…now im currently unemployed, is it possible for my father to mantain me?
Good day
Yes, it is possible to claim child support from your father as long as you are not self-supporting.
I’m a 23 years old mother with 1 kid and I’m unemployed so Is it possible for me to apply for maintenance while I have a child? Will my father support me even if I have a child?
Good day
As long as you are not self-supporting, you may claim maintenance from your parents.
Im working in jhb my ex is workiing in mahikeng do i need to apply fot a child maintenanvce in mafikeng our child is 3 yrs
You need to apply where you work or stay.
Hey ,I’m Kim from knysna .my daughter is 3years old now and her father never supported her in anyway.when I told him that I was pregnant he told me that I must go look for my child’s father.I never saw him again.I just would like know what I can do for home to help me rise our daughter because things are getting expensive and I only work part time job.
All I know is he is somewhere in George and he last work at a pizza place and he is working somewhere else
He have his own family and he has a son with his new wife.so I just would like to know what to do and what I need for a applying for child support
Thank you for reading my letteet
Hope to hear from you soon
Loving Kim
Good day
You should approach the maintenance court in George for a Maintenance Order.
my name is Esther my husband is not working and at the maintenance court said he must continue to pay 500 he was paying 900 he does not have source of income
Good day. if the maintenance Court made an error, your husband should take their decision on appeal.
I’m a a single mother who is working at a call center and i would like to apply for a child maintenance to my baby father who is a taxi driver who has not supported the child ever since and he is get paid each Monday if I ask for supprt he becomes very rude i would be grateful for your response
Good day
You need to approach the maintenance court in your area ASAP for a maintenance order. They can investigate and conduct and enquiry.
Good Day. Thanks for reply. Currently he does not have parent. He has girlfriend full time who she shares cost with him. He was sometimes performing but wont say if its payable or not
It is then best to take him to the Maintenance Court.
Hi. I have been leaving with my child since 2014 after divorce. The father is not helping financially. He left his job and now he says he is not working he is at school. My child and I need financial support. It’s been years doing things on my own and its getting too much. What do I do with father always saying he is not working
Good day
You must take him to the maintenance court and he must find a job. If he cannot find something, the his parents must pay if they can afford and it is fair under the circumstances.
I’m 19 years old. I am studying at private college at Johannesburg. I applied for maintenance against my father to pay for my tuition fee of R3600 including rent R1800. I was given date 24 April 2019 Wednesday, and I went there..he said that R3600 was too much he will be able to give me R1000 ,,I disagreed to R1000 couse my tuition fee is R3600 including rent,,, but he’s salary showed that he earn R20000 after deduction.. At the end will i be able to get help because I was given another date 17 may 2019
Best of luck at Court.
Hi I have a 9 year old boy,since he was born the father has not even supported him.with even a cent,but we did go to his house and told them about the baby,all he did was telling me to do an abortion.Im struggling to pay for everything especially at school,i.need him to pay for all this year’s.I can’t.do it anymore this child is both ours
Good day
You need to approach the maintenance court ASAP in your area.
Hi, I am currently divorced with 2 kids. At the time of the divorce I didn’t claim any monetary values from my ex as we both agreed to support the kids in whatever they needed by sharing the costs equally. I moved out and I have custody of the kids.
My ex hasn’t come to the party of assisting financially with the kids. I am maintaining my own household plus seeing to the kids expenses. Can I still apply for maintenance even though we initially agreed not to in the divorce settlement?
Since the divorce we had agreed to sell the house which we both owned. The courts even granted this in the decree and that the house should be sold within a reasonable time after the divorce. I have since approached my ex on selling the house and he refuses to. I even asked him what is a reasonable time for him to sell the house as it is already 6 months since the divorce has taken place. Can the courts still rule in my favor of selling the house during the maintenance hearing? It seems like he doesn’t want to listen to anyone other than a legal authority and the only way he will sell is if the courts instructs him to again.
Please advise.
Thanks
Good day
You may still approach the maintenance court.
On the issue of the house, if he does not want to sell it, the court can order him to do so. However not the maintenance court. You would need to consult with an attorney to assist you.
Hi I’m an unemployed single mom. My dilemma is that I need to apply for maintenance but it has been two years since my child has been born, the father has since deleted all contacts and changed/left the known place of work. Basically I have very little information about finding him. Can the courts help me with this?
Good day
Yes, the courts can try to trace him.
Good day Can u explain further abt appealing the decision of a maintainanc official..
Good day
We do not have an article on that topic. It may be best to consult with an attorney.
I hv a two year old daughter wth my ex.. He pays fr cretch fees nd transport d child to cretch nd d child hv medical aid d problem is he’s d one buyin food fr our child he buys things that hv outgrown the stage of our baby nd d food is nt enough den decided to apply fr maintainanc order nd sent him a letter signed. C my I terns hip contract is ending.. Den on d day of court de clerk closed our file nd said she cnt tk d mttr to megistrate as according to the law the father is maintaining the child yet he’s not buyin relevant grocery nd clothes.. Wat should I du
Good day
We advise you appeal the decision of the maintenance official. Or speak to an attorney to see if you have a case.
I hv a two year old daughter wth my ex..his dad pays child cretch fees, buys grocery dt has outgrown the child stage I am nt satisfied wth grocery he buys.. I wasn’t assisted the clerk ddnt tk d mttr to me gist rate he said according to d law d father maintains the child yet he’s not buyin enough food fr a child nd my contract is abt to end as an Intern. Wat should I du?
Good day i wonder if you could answer a question for me. I am 21 i have a 9 month old son, his father doesnt really support his child and doesnt visit often because he stays almost 2 hours away. Im scared to take him to maintenance court incase they say he needs to take the child ever second weekend, I have never stoped him from seeing his son and actually encourage him to visit more often but i feel he is too young to take him over night… Am i wrong? Will the court make me let him take him
Good day
If you need maintenance you must apply. If he wants to see the child every second weekend, and you don’t agree, he must approach the court and the court would then decide what is best for the child.
Hello;
I do not know the father of my child’s ID number and I know his parents place (who wont communicate with me) but I don’t know where he stays. I have his number but he wont give me his details. What can I do?
Good day
The Maintenance court has investigators who can trace the father. Please proceed to your nearest maintenance court.
Good day
You would need to find out from the Maintenance office and the magistrate why they are allowing it. That may give you some clarity. They should explain to you their rationale. Obviously, if they do not follow proper procedure, you can appeal any decision, or take it on review if applicable.
Hi. I have to boys n their father would give excuses all the time when it comes to furring for his kids. Sometimes he would tell me that am using them jus for him to get back with me. His parents help sometimes in supporting the little but its not most of the time. He even asked his girlfriend to insult me n tell me that am forcing him to support kids that are not even his. I have proof of all the insults. Am currently unemployed n I was asking if I can claim child mentenaincy for my kids.
Good day
Yes, we advise you to approach the Maintenance Court as soon as possible. He has a legal obligation to support his children.
My x-husband is only paying R1000 per month for 12 years now as well as her school fees, she is living with me and I am paying her medical aid. Can I go to the maintenance court?
Good day
A parent must pay according to their means. If you feel that he is not paying enough, you should take him to the maintenance court.
Hi there , I have already applied for maintenance. And I also signed an agreement on behalf of my daughter …but I was told to take it back to court. I have already attended 5 hearings but the father of my kid hasn’t…his lawyer keeps telling the court that he isn’t able to attend due to being overseas…can you please give some reassurance to how long will my case go on , since he is overseas on a holiday visa?? And isn’t going to attend our hearings. How long do you think this sort of procedure takes .. thanks 🙂 f
Good day
That question would depend on which court you are appearing in South African. Some courts are busy and others do not tolerate lengthy postponements. We would hate to guess, so it would be best to speak to the Maintenance Officer or Magistrate dealing with your matter.
Good day
i just wanted to find out a few things:
After i fill out the Application for Maintenance Order who do i send it to and how much will it cost for me to take my daughters father up for maintenance as she is 8 years old already and he has not supported her financially her whole life.
And can i do this online?
Please assist
Regards
XXX
Good day
You need to take it to the maintenance court in your area. You need to do it personally. You cannot do it online.
I’m thirty years my father kicked me out of home when I was seventeen and I could no longer finish college because I had to stay with my mother who was unemployed and couldn’t help pay. I tried doing random jobs so I could support My self I worked in salons cleaning but I have no certificate in life not even matric because my father took me out of normal private school to college because he wanted me to have a college diploma instead of National senior certificate but he met my step mother and kicked me out of home since she didn’t want me there. I’d like to know if I can take my father to the maintenance court so I can study and have a degree or diploma in order to live better please help me. I have no source of income and my father works in the defense force.
I’m thirty years my father kicked me out of home when I was seventeen and I could no longer finish college because I had to stay with my mother who was unemployed and couldn’t help pay. I tried doing random jobs so I could support My self I worked in salons cleaning but I have no certificate in life not even matric because my father took me a while out of normal private school to college because he wanted me to have a college diploma instead of National senior certificate but he met my setup mother and kicked me out of home since she didn’t want me there. I’d like to know if I can take my father to the maintenance court so I can study and have a degree or diploma in order to live better please help me. I have no source of income and my father works in the defense force.
I’m thirty for a years my father kicked me out of home when I was seventeen nd and I could no longer finish college because my mother was unemployed and couldn’t pay. I tried doing random jobs so I could support the My self I worked in salons but I have no certificate and I want to know if I can take my father to court for back maintenance so I can study nd and have a degree or diploma in order to live better please let help. I will I have no source of income my father works in the defense force.
Good day
We advise that you approach the maintenance court ASAP for a maintenance order against your father.
Hi. I have a 6 year old daughter and her father never paid child support since she was born. He doesnt have a permanent job but he sometimes do part time jobs and he has some projects hes working on that he does get paid for. He is refusing to get a job even when i send him adverts of advertised post he refuses to apply. When I ask his assistance which is once in a while he just ignores me. Will I get child support if he doesnt have a permanent job?
Good day
We advise you approach the maintenance court and lay a complaint. The Court would look at his conduct and determine whether it is reasonable or not. He would have to explain why he does not want to get a job. The Court would then force him to apply if he is not reasonable. You also have the option of claiming against his parents if he cannot afford to pay.
Hi i have 3kids supported then sonce birth as married but divorce and did still support them.The mother never work to help.Now she open accounts to buy her clothing while i buy for my kids and they om my medilcal aid go fetch them monthly with my own petrol and we staying 120km apart,found now that she got credit card and clothing account that is more 5oooo grand she know she os not working why she open accounts for her but using kids money.Using money to visit her bf .My daughter staying now in at boarding school due tp her not most ofthe time at home more at the bf .My 11yaer old kid still staying with her but want to stay with me.My son who finish matric stay now by me ,he is 19 years but she still want his support .am i allow to not pay supprt to of son.She tpld me now she gona go to court if i dont pay it .I do still support my 2other kids .im i allow to go to maintenance court so that she can assist me with kids.She actually living of kids money and there are never money for clothing and shcool wear when they need im the person buying schopl wear ,stationery,clothing ,pocket money for them ,collect them monthly on my costs,they on my medical aid ,took them on holidays ,what must i do pleaae assst because i know its my duty tp suppprt them but she always looking for extra monies .
Good day
We advise that you approach the maintenance court and the children’s court for advice on these issues. They would then advise you on what to do.
Good morning
My mom past away in 2012 after her funeral my stepfather abanded us..now I reported him to maintenance court to support his biological son and he says he want to take his biological son to his place.I was struggling with my younger brother for 7 years without any help from him…what should I do?
Good day
We advise you have the guardian/caregiver of the younger son take the father to the Maintenance Court.
Hi I’m 31 years old mother of a 13 year old girl I jst broke up with his daddy nd since from birth my parents were taking care of my bby until she was 12 years bcz his dad was not working,now tht he’s started working nd his earning well he wants me to follow nd berg him to support my kid bcz I’m now unemployed he support my child only when he likes he does things at his own tym he sends money whn he want so I want to knw if I cn take him to maintenance court or not cz I’m struggling whn I ask him to help my kid with what ever she needs
Good day
We strongly advise that you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Good day. My domestics ex boyfriend (father to her 3 children) moved from Gauteng to another province. Would he be expected to travel to Johannesburg to appear in court, and if he does not appear what are the implications?
Good day
Yes, he would be expected to travel to Johannesburg. If he is properly informed to appear, he can be arrested and brought to court.
my daughter is now 6 yrs and she is going to private school next year. is it possible for me to tell the maintenance court to increase the money??
Good day
Yes, you can make an application for an increase. There is grounds.
Good day
I am a single mother of three. Their father refuses to pay maintenance. He has now blocked us and doesn’t answer the phone when my children phone him.
How can I get him to help towards the children?
Good day
You should approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Hi, I’m a 31 yrs old. I have a 6yrs old daughter who her father refuse to maintain her at all. I only asked him to buy the clothes for our child in winter & summer then I’ll do the rest, but he’s refusing. So can I go to the maintenance court ?
Good day. Yes, you may approach to the maintenance court for a maintenance order. The order would include a monetary amount that the father must pay.
Hi. My husbands maintenance order states he needs to pay X amount per child plus medical plus 50% of all expenses incurred. My question is that his x wife phones weekly asking for money for this and that. We now asked to see the receipts of what he needs to be paying the 50% of but she blatantly refuses and feels we need to trust her if she says she spend R2000 that he just needs to pay her the R1000. Can we refuse to continue paying all the extras wothout proof of receipts for monies spend? Can we refuse for extravagant luxuries when we cant even afford our basic needs? Can what he spends on medical aid not be included in his contribution and maintenance reviewed? As is nearly 50% of his income goes to his exwife whome refuses to work herself while we can hardly provide for our 2 children
Good day
Your husband needs to abide by the Court Order. If he feels he is paying too much, he needs to make an application for the variation of the Order.
Hey I have 3yrs child n the father its from Zimbabwe and work at south Africa its truck driver can I get child maintenance Im not working in the moment
Good day
Yes you can claim child maintenance.
hi I am 24 years o have a 2 years old son his father only gave me R650 rands only R400 when he was 6 months and R250 when he was was turning 1 year now he is unreachable changing contacts now and again please what can I do because am not working am struggling a lot I only know his name and date of birth only help please
Good day
Approach the Maintenance Court in your area for assistance. They have investigators that can find the details of the father.
Hi,I just want to know if me as a married father to my wife can apply for maintenance.The reason is because my wife go around and tell her family and friends that I don’t support my children.I would like to pay maintenance as prove that I do support my kids.
Good day
You can’t apply for an order against yourself. You may want to consider opening a bank account or a policy for the kids to be used by them in the future.
Good day
im currently pregnant and i have told the father that im carrying his baby but he denies it is his kid i am carrying and denies to help with the baby im in pretoria and he is in strand how can i go about the situation and what is the procedures
Good day
Once the child is born, take the father to the Maintenance Court in your area ASAP!
Hi the father of my kids don’t want to support them so I want to take him to mantanance court cause when I ask him to give me the money for our kids she say yes after he don’t even send the money. Am not workin and our kids Is still young is 2 years kid and one month kid both Is girls and Is being 3 months nw. So am tired of talking to him I want to take an action.
Good day
You need to approach the Maintenance Court in your area ASAP for a Maintenance Order. The father has a legal obligation to support his children. The Maintenance Court would make a fair maintenance order.
Good day,
I have a 9 yr old son with my ex wife that is staying with his maternal grandmother.
I’m supporting him but now is relocating to go stay with his mother i will be paying for all his
school needs at private school but my ex wife is forcing me to pay for everything i can’t afford it.
how do i proceed
Good day,
I have a son with my Ex wife that is staying with his maternal grandmother.
the child should relocate and stay with the mother now, i will be paying for all his school needs at private school but the mother force me to do both I can’t afford it. how can i proceed.
Good day
If you cannot afford, there is not much the mother can do. Pay what you believe is fair and reasonable and what you can afford. If the mother is not happy with that, she would have to take you to the Maintenance Court.
hi
i have been support my son since he was born his now 4 and now his father demanding to see him , he does not even support his child because he claims his unemployed..
can i apply for maintenance even if his not working.
Good day
Yes, you can apply even though he is not working. The court would then decide on the way forward. If he has assets, that would be considered. He must also show proof that he is trying to find work. If he cannot order at all, they can proceed against his parents for child support.
Good day,
I met a girl on a online dating website.We met once and about 5 times thereafter.She got pregnant on the 6th time we met, in about 2 months duration.
The child is born and is now at the age of 14 months.
She did not want to take me to the maintenance court, and wanted to settle a monthly maintenance fee outside the court.
I’m paying a monthly fee of 5800 with a 6% yearly.I also paid all the medical costs regarding the birth of the child.
We are not in a relationship at all, and were never in one.So obviously this child is born out of wedlock.
My question is: May this be a scam,after all, the way we met,and the short time for her pregnancy?
Is it advisable for me as the biological father, to approach the court in a request for the child to be adopted?
Looking forward to your response.
Regards,
Good day
If you do not believe you are the father, ask the mother to submit to a paternity test for the child.
If you want the child to go up for adoption, both you and the mother should agree.
good day
can i start paying maintaince if the divorce is not yet finalized
Good day
Yes, you can.
i was working in limpopo musina for 9 months taking care of my kids finacially, i have one child with her the other one is out of the wedlock, i was taking care for both my kids, after she walk out form the house without my acknowledge with all the furniture that we had, she had that i got the job she sue me for matainance for 3500 every month my salary that i am getting 12000, i need to know what must i do
Good day
You must present to the court your income and expense with proof and what you can afford. The court would decide what is a fair amount.
i need to know what must i do when my wife is refusing access to my child
Good day
We advise you approach the Children’s Court in the area where the mother resides.
My son is 8 years turning 9 in December. I have been fully supporting him ever since he was born. His father is married and does not support him at all. I have spoken to him about supporting his child but agrees and never delivers. I am drowning and have decided to apply for maintenance but don’t have any of his personal details. How do I go about this.
Good day
The maintenance court has investigators who can find his details. We advise that you proceed to the Court.
Good day
I have 2 kids , 18years and 19 years, divorced in 2006, their father did not contribute to their living expenses / medical aid and education/ clothing/ food/rent.. Can i now claim maintenance to be backdated. Can i also claim for spouse maintenance.
Good day
You can claim maintenance going back if there was no maintenance order. Usually, the court would grant a maintenance order at divorce. With regard to spousal maintenance, that you should have claimed at Court at divorce.
Hi I’m 18 years, a South African citizen and currently in grade 12. My dad is an entrepreneur and owns several companies. Last year my mom took my dad to the magistrate court over child maintenance and it was either she was given the wrong date each time or they would reschedule because he would not present the required documents to the judge. After realizing that my dad had connections with the people who worked there and their prosecutor she told someone higher up in the department. However nothing changed, he always had excuses and he would just be told to present the correct information next time. After 2 years of trying and failing she knew she was not gonna get the justice she needed. Being accepted to study at 3 universities for medicine for next year he made it clear to us that he won’t be paying for anything ever. My mom won’t be able to pay the school fees and can’t afford an attorney. What should we do. Thanks for your help.
Good day
It is sad that the maintenance court is failing you. We strongly advise that you go further up the ladder for the complaints. Maybe contact the Provincial Minister’s Office.
Morning
I have 9 year old son and I am currently employed and his father is working he started supporting him last year with 600 for only 2 months and this year its on and off this month deposit the money next month came up with excuse. Can i take him to maintenance court
Good day
Yes, we suggest that you take him to the Maintenance Court ASAP.
Gudday,I have a 6 month old baby and the father just decided that he will not support the child anymore because we broke up and he is working but has 2 other kids from previous relationship, I currently have a December job but its only until end of December,what do I do
Good day
You need to approach the maintenance court in your area as soon as possible for a maintenance order.
Good evening, my baby daddy is self employed can afford expensive things has no payslip but he is getting more money each and every month, but he is not paying maintenance for my boy, who us 1 and 11 mo the. Can thecourt approve maintenance application for me?
Good day
The court would look into the matter and make a decision as to what is fair and reasonable. Therefore, we advise you to go to court and make the application.
Good Evening am a 32 year old lady and am still studying I have a 10 year old daughter who stays with my mother and am having challenges as to take care of my baby bcs am still at varsity. The problem am facing rite now is that my daughters father doesn’t support and when ever I contact him his girlfriend swears at me over the phone and tells me to stop calling his man, we separated in 2012 and ever since then I don’t know where he stays and works. When I read through your post I saw that in order for me to file a maintenance I have to have ID numbers , home/work address so am now loosing hope as I wanted to make him pay for his child support but I don’t have his details😭
Hi
I have 2 kids with my ex, he is currently not helping with child support. The last time I checked he was not working and I feel that his family is maintain his lifestyle as he is not eager to find work or to help with the kids. Its difficult for me as a single parent, that I even had to apply for debt review due to the amount of debt I had to make to pay for the kids. Can I apply for maintenance even if the father is unemployed.
Good day
Yes, you can still apply. If he truly cannot afford and find work, the court can proceed against his parents.
Hi,
Is it possible to claim maintenance from my husbands RA as he is unemployed and I have three children that need to be maintained.
Good day
Yes, it is possible. You need to approach the Maintenance Court for an Order.
Hi my baby daddy is a taxi driver is it possible for me to apply for child maintenance because he doesn’t support the child since from birth?
Good day
Yes, it is possible. You need to approach the Maintenance Court in your area.
what documents will I need to file for child maintainance?
You would need proof of your income and expenses for you and your child.
The father of my child passed away and he is now 3 years old and I’m not working nor have a stable home he was working a pole officer,i only received the money once and its not enough for all my child’s needs including the rent what can I do?
Good day
You may consider applying for maintenance from your parents and his parents. They have a legal obligation to maintain your child too.
good day
My baby daddy he is paying for school fees and transport and he only buy snakes,I’m unemployed ,I came to stay on his home after lobola negotiations now they chase me away I had to rent course my kids are still in school here that’s y I didn’t go back home ,now I don’t know how to pay my rent and I don’t know how to buy groceries ,and he doesn’t want to put his child on medical aid when I ask him for doctors money he fight with I don’t know what to do please help with some advise please
THANK YOU
Good day
We advise that you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Hello
I just wanted to know if it is possible to take my baby daddy back to maintenance court after I have cancelled?
Good day
Yes, it is still possible.
Greetings. I’m an umemplyed married mother of two daughters and we are staying together as a family with my husband. My husband is abusive and I want to leave him and find a place to stay with the kids because I’m scared to leave him with the kids. I need him to support the kids while they stay with me because I’m still unemployed. And i would like to know if I’ll have to make a plan on paying for the rent where I’ll be staying with the kids or he will be responsible for paying it because his abusiveness pushes us to leave him.
Good day
We advise you approach the maintenance court for a maintenance order. It may be a good idea to speak to him about your intentions and his willingness to support you.
Hi I would like to know how this maintenance thing works my baby mother relocated to a different province with my daughter and I hardly ever see her but the mother always just wants money and now she said she’s taking me to court for maintenance but I don’t see my child they live in a different province and she never asked me formy consent or permission to take the child but she wants money? How does that work?
She can take you to the maintenance court if is caring for the child and incurring expenses. The Court would decide what is a fair amount.
Hi my name is Zintle. I have a baby he’s still a new born but every time I ask his father to buy things the baby needs he promises me but doesn’t buy them now I’m thinking of going for maintenance but I don’t know if I will get help since he is a taxi driver I’m not sure how much he’s earning and he doesn’t have a payslip. What can I do?
Good day
Still approach the Maintenance Court. They have maintenance investigators.
Good morning sir,I have a daughter who’s 10 year’s old,her father send R500 after 3 months,he’s working somewhere in rustenburg and m also working but I don’t earn that much,recently he got a baby with his girlfriend, so I’m I entitled to ask him to pay maintenance for my daughter?
Good day
Yes, he has a legal obligation to support your daughter. If he does not pay a reasonable amount, you must take him to the Maintenance Court ASAP.
Hi I wanted to ask do i qualify to take my baby daddy to maintenance court even though am earning R7000pm as he only buys milk and a plastic of pampers he hasn’t bought clothes for the baby ever since the child was born and my daughter she’s 6 months old,thing is I’ve missed placed my slips so I feel I won’t get help due to I can’t produce the proof of purchases.
Good day. You have a case to go to the Maintenance Court.
Evening
I want to apply for a maintenance, but the problem is I don’t know my ex current address and his identity number, but I know he’s birthday n the year he was born… He’s working well but he doesn’t maintain the kid ever since our daughter was born
Good day
You can still approach the Maintenance Court. They have maintenance investigators.
Good Day.
I have a 6 year old daughter, whose dad does not contribute to at all. He is currently residing in Durban. What would be the visitation rights for him should I file for maintenance.
Good day.
Maintenance and child support are two separate issues. We advise you approach the maintenance court nonetheless.
Good Day,
I have 2 kids 11 and 9 they live with my mother the father provides 2000 monthly but its not enough I don’t want to seem petty but he only increased this last year Kids school is expensive and I am currently unemployed however have been using savings to make due.
I don’t know whether I am justified to go to court and apply for mainetanance I have spoken to him and he doesn’t seem to see a problem he was not working for some time and I did everything Im even willing that he not give the money and buy school uniforms and pay the fees but I am really struggling
Hi. the father of my baby does not support my baby in any way. He is self employed, does freelancing jobs and those government contracts but sometimes he gets no job. he has never asked me about the baby. but has lot of assets. Im about to be let go at work and i cant afford to take care of the baby like i used to. Do i also go to the maintenance court or they will regard him as someone who does not work…
Good day. Proceed to the Maintenance Court ASAP.
Hi I’m a mother of 2 kids a boy and a girl their father is a taxi driver and he doesn’t support them will they be able to help me
Good day
Yes, the maintenance court would still be able to assist you.
Hi my daughter is 27 months and her father never supported her since she was born and yet he is working. He only bought only 2 pair of shoes last year and this year I asked him to take responsibility by contributing atleast R500 a month but he only deposited 3 times this year when its suits him and I tried to talk to him several times but failed and when ever I call at his work his phones just forever ringing and no response. He called and ask my banking details but didnt deposit any money. I dont know he works or leaves but somewhere in PTA. Please advise.
Good day.
You need to approach the maintenance court in your area ASAP.
Hi, i went for Children Maintance Offices in 2012, and their father, ( my ex-Husband) told them that he will pay the maintanance we didnt go to Court cause we agree that he will start to pay instead he quit his Job, and got another one later, now he doesn’t want to support his 2kids saying he’s getting paid only on Commisssion, am doing everything for them alone i mean EVERYTHING..now will they allow me to go for the second time to Maintanance Court?
Good day
Yes, the court would allow you to apply again. Do so ASAP.
Me and my baby daddy we broke up long time ago ..he denied the child and he doesn’t want to do DNA tests
It is possible for me to apply for maintenance while he is denying the child?
Good day
Yes, you can still approach the court.
Me and my baby date we broke up long time ago…he denied the child saying that the child is not his .he doesn’t want to do DNA test
It is possible for me to apply for child maintenance while he is denying the child?
I am married to my husband for 9 years but in 2016, we filed for a divorce but cancelled it in the same year in September. But since we cancelled the divorce, he doesn’t want to stay with us ( me and our son), we don’t know where he stays. We have two houses that are rented out, because I also stay at my own rented place. The problem, he does not support his child, and what is bothering me more is the fact that, he receive rental money for both houses but he refused to support us or even share the rental money he receives every month from the tenants and he is also working in a very good government institution. What should I do and this matter is stressing me too much.
We advise you take him to the maintenance court.
Good day…I have a child with an ex that I was not married to. He has contributed R500 per month since birth as well as annual primary school fees. For the past 4 years he defaults in payments every so often which leaves me on the back foot to tie up loose ends. School fees payments are also delayed to the latter part of the year which is due in the beginning. As of this year his last contribution was in Jan. He lives in another province, is married with 2 other children and has a good job living quite comfortable. The other 2 kids go to private school and are well taken care of. I’m married but am not as well off as he is. My expectation is that he contribute more financially due to high cost of living as R500 is too little. Would also want him to contribute his time as he always makes excuses to see him. Will it worth the effort to apply for increase in contribution (and ensure consistency in payments) ? Also, can the court also get him to ensure that he plays a role in seeing the child as he is neglected.
Good day
We advise you proceed with an Application to the Maintenance Court. The Court would be in a very good position to assess the matter. The Maintenance Court cannot deal with contact and care issues. That you need to approach the Children’s Court for.
Hi how are you I would like to know if the baby s father is from Malawi but he s working 6days a week here in south Africa how can I persuade a child support without him losing his job I don’t know if he have all documents for working he s a gardener here my child she s been 2yrs now he only paid three only I have to force him to give me I only ask him r500 n I even find him a job but he still struggling to pay the amount I ask do I have a right to take him to court for child support and I only know 2houses where he works I don’t know the other houses but they in a same complex.thanks(m a private person I don’t want my boss found out)
Good day. You have full right to take him to the maintenance court. We, however, cannot advise whether or not he will lose his job and so on.
Hi, I’m currently pregnant and my baby daddy wants nothing to do with me and the baby. Can I take him to the maintanence court after the baby is born despite him not wanting the baby?
Good day. Yes, you can still take him to the maintenance court.
hi, Am a mother of a 4year old,her father and i separated before she was born and he had agreed to maintain her every month R1500, he started well until last year March he stopped with R1500 and now it is down to R900 which only covers the child crech fees,i agreed to help with the transport and food,but now he doesnt even buy the child clothes,whenever she is sick he doesnt even help take her to a doctor,am now married and my husband cater for the childs need.since her biological dad only pays for crech,can i take him for mainatance
Good day
We advise you approach the maintenance court for a maintenance order.
Hi im a father of a 3month old child, im buying everythin of what my child need, an docter bills, but she give the stuff away to her brother child an i cant say anything, what can i do
I am taking care of my cousins son and we agreed that both her and the father will contribute monthly to the child’s care however both of them keep on defaulting an I find myself paying alone for his care. Can I approach a maintenance court for assistance?
Good day
The Maintenance Court may have some issues are you are not the child’s guardian etc. But we advise you to approach them and see what they have to say.
I did it but it looks like im wrong, and they just want more from me
hi I’m innocent im 21 years old I’m asking that is it possible that i can make my father to support me cause he never dd anything for me n he doesn’t wanna take me to school im suffering because of him my mom she is a domestic worker will the court help me with this matter i wanna make it tomorrow or today
Yes, the court would assist you. Please visit the Maintenance Court in your area tomorrow.
I am 18 years old. I live with my mother, my father don’t support me only my Mother she sent me to basic school primary school then secondary but through my time going to secondary school she let me go on my father bus. My father have a lot of money,
He abuse me from when I was little until I was in first from at secondary school he dont give me anything and when I ask him for something he say no but when I mention my mother name he give me and that’s likes twice a year and I’m not talking a lot of money no more the 5000.
How do I go about filing for maintenance so I get what he didn’t give me.
You need to visit the maintenance court in your area and lay a maintenance complaint.
I have 3 kids. Father just pays for school fees. Nothing else. Kids live with me and I pay for everything else. There is no court order yet. He wants to put kids in a cheaper school because he claims he can’t afford it. Is it worth going to court about this?
Good day
If you earn much more than the father, then it would be expected for you to pay for more than him. If however, you feel he is paying too little and can afford more, then we advise you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Hi,Am 27 years lady and I have a 4 years son. The father of my son doesn’t want to support him and he doesn’t know our son. My question is,I don’t know his ID number and I want to take him to court for maintenance. Can I take him without ID number?????
You can ask the maintenance court to do an investigation as to his details. They have maintenance investigators.
My father’s child don not want to support her child since I was pregnant can I claim maintenance
Good day
Yes you can at the Maintenance Court.
I am foreghner my ex husband too.can i claim child mentainance from him?
Yes you can. We presume you both live in South Africa.
Can i apply for maintainance if i am a foreigner in zimbambwe and the father is in south africa,,,maintanance of him infecting me with hiv and mainatance of children
It may be best you find out from the Maintenance Court in Zimbabwe. The principle in South Africa is that you apply at the Court where you live or work. In your case it is in Zimbabwe. The other option is for you to get an attorney in South Africa an sue the Father in the High Court in the province where he resides.
Leave your message
Hi,I have a 2 year old daughter and her father disappeared when I was pregnant and never heard from him but his brother used to call me and ask how is the child so I don’t know what to do to get to the father of my kid coz his brother says he can’t give me the numbers of the baby daddy please help
You need to approach the Maintenance Court in your area. They can instruct the maintenance officer to investigate where the father is. You may even ask them to proceed for maintenance against his parents.
Good day
my ex-husband has stopped paying maintenance for over 3 years now and I have tried on numerous occasions to get him to pay the money but he keeps on coming with excuses. he also keeps on making promises and always breaks it. he has two other kids now, will I be able to get a garnishee on him so I know that he keeps on paying for his two with me.
Good day
It is possible to get a garnishee order against him. You need to apply to the Maintenance Court.
I have a son and the father has rejected him so i dont have the pay slip and working address so what do i do
You can still approach the maintenance Court.
Good day
My son has a two month old son whose mother died a month ago. He wants sole custody of the child. The son is been looked after by the maternal grandmother. My son feels that the grandmother is bonding with the son and does not always allows him to take the child to our home.
He wants a chance to be able to bond with the child as well. The family is still mourning for their daughter and we were told to wait 3 months for damage negotiations.
My son feels that he should be allowed to take the child and spend every weekend with him.
He has been taking caremof the child ever since he was born
You son has sole guardianship and custody over the child. If the grandparents wants rights, they need to approach the Court.
Hi I have a 6year old son and his father does not support him. I would like to sue for maintenance but I don’t have his ID number or home address all I have is his work address, phone number and his names. Will I be able to sue him?
Good day
The Maintenance Court would be able to assist you. They can appoint one of their investigators.
Hi my name is Olivia I have a child of 6 years old,all the time his father was maintaining her with R1100 per month now ,the father works at security armed response ,he has another small business of security company and driving the Taxify with his own car at his off days,he no longer wanna support the child ,he told me he has debts of car and clothes account ,I ask him to raise money to R1500 as the child is traveling to school and transport cost me R350 and I pay the rent of R850 and have to buy food and clothes on that money,he refused and told me to use child support grant and is the only money I depend on it as I am not working,and I don’t any income without that.Is it possible to approach the maintenance court?And the 2nd thing I don’t know where he stay now I only have address of his company he works for and his I.d.
Yes you can approach the maintenance court. They can try to locate him.
Hi my name is Olivia I have a child of 6 years old,all the time his father was maintaining her with R1100 per month now ,the father works at security armed response ,he has another small business of security company and driving the Taxify with his own car at his off days,he no longer wanna support the child ,he told me he has debts of car and clothes account ,I ask him to raise money to R1500 as the child is traveling to school and transport cost me R350 and I pay the rent of R850 ,he refused and told me to child support grant and is the only money I depend on it as I am not working.Is it possible to approach the maintenance court?And the 2nd thing I don’t know where he stay now I only have address of his company he works for and his documents.
Good day.. My daughter is 7.. Her father paid R600 for 4 years. When my daughter went to school he paid R700 and he pays the school fees.. I haven’t received a letter from the school that the fees has not been paid. She visits her dad for 3 weekends a month and then for the remainder of the time she is home with me.. So in total he pays R1580.. I pay all her extra things after care transport for school and extra curriculum activities.. Please tell me if I must approach the court or not, as I feel this is to little. This arrangement was made between me and her father we have not been to court, regarding this matter.. He also pays the R700 if he has the money to do so or whenever he wants to.. PLEASE HELP
We advise you to approach the court.
Hi my name is kgalalelo am 23 years old and i have a 5 month baby girl i what my father to maintain me but he don’t what he stop maintaining me when i was 21 years so can he maintain me even if a have a child? i don’t have any income
You should approach the Maintenance Court in your area.
Hi
My son is 8yrs I separated with the father a year ago. He does send money but after I followed him around and he does that every month sometimes he will bring short money and late around the 3rd day of the month then I have to keep our son out of school until he bring money wherelse he get paid on the 25th or he will lie and say I will bring it tomorrow and never do that untill I start calling him or he will make me ask money from loan shark and pay it later do I qualify to apply for maintenance for my son when things are like this?
Yes, you can still apply.
I am pregnant and when I told my boyfriend that I am pregnant he said I must abort the baby but I don’t to can I still claim support from him after birth?
You can still claim.
Hy I am 17 years old and I am reaching 18 this year on August so I wanted to apply for maintained for my father next month my self so will they allow me
Yes, you can apply on your own.
hi im 26 years old and have a 1 month old baby ,while i was pregnant i found out i was HIV Positive i assummed i got it from his father coz before i fell pregnant i tested negative when i ask him about his HIV status he doesnt give me a straight answer.he was never supportive during my pregnancy til i told him i gave birth he sent 1700 once off and never sent money again this month (may) when i tell him i need money for nappies and new clothes he tells me he has money problems but when i check his facebook posts i witnessed that he bought new clothes and one of the latest cellphones (sumsung s9) so what i want to find out is can i sue him for infecting me with hiv and for maintainance all at once
Good day
On the issue of Maintenance, there you can take him to the Maintenance Court. We advise that you approach them. On the HIV issue, we advise that you see an attorney to assist you.
Hi i have an 6yrs child and his father never supported him since he was born.i was supporting my child with a social grand now i am working and i earn 2900 hes at school and his paying R1000 for school fees and R400 for transport plus i have to buy him clothes and foods and i have to also have money for my transport to go to work.his father is working but he doesnt support his child,so i want to make him to support his child but i only have his number,surname and name.i also knw where he stay but dont knw the address .
Hi, we advise you approach the maintenance court for assistance.
how long does it take to get a date to appear in court after you have submitted an application for maintenance in south Africa.
All courts vary. It is best you contact the specific court.
Hi I have a child who is 1 years 8 his father never supported him since he was a born ,he works at Pretoria but his home address is thohoyandou but I only know his number,name,surname and work place ..and also his home address here at venda thohoyandou
Good day
The maintenance court can try to trace him.
Hi I have a child who is 1 years 8 his father never supported him since he was a born ,he works at Pretoria but his home address is thohoyandou but I only know his number,name,surname and work place ..and also his home address here at venda thohoyandou
Hi my name is Lethabo Rasekgwalo I have a child who is 3 years old and before me and her father separated her father was supporting her so well bt since we separated he sometimes give her money sometimes not and am not working am a student at unisa he also promised to marry me and he didn’t do as he promised me my school time is wasted because of he is the one who asked me to have a child with him Baby daddy is working at Nissan
Good day
Please visit the Maintenance Court in your area soonest for assistance.
My child’s dad, is working at Metro police,we are separated,I am not working and he doesn’t support his child, when I try to reach out to him he doesn’t answer my call he used to give the child 350 I don’t know what for now he stopped completely what should I do, I only hv I’d no and I don’t know where he stay, can I get help
Good day, we advise you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
My child is 7 years old n all along was taking care cause I was doing internship n now my contract ended.the baby daddy is working well n don’t care
Good day
We advise you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Good I need help, I am legally married to my wife and we have 3 daughters aged 13 and 7, my wife works as a nanny and stay there only comes on Saturday and Sundays and sometimes she does not come.
I love my children so much that I cant imagine having them being raised by another person, now recently my wife has threatened to take my children and sends them out of the country without my approval coz she claims I love my kids more than so she wants to punish me.
my question is can I file for custody for them as a precautionary measure for the not to do that.
since she has been working she has refused to support financially but that’s not an issue with e what I need the most is the custody for kids can I approach children’s court.
You can approach the children’s court. They would assess the matter and decide what is best for the kids.
Leave your message hi I m 22 years and I want my father to maintain me but he is a taxi driver will u help me
You need to approach the maintenance court.
Hi am the mother of two children and struggling to everything, they’re having daddy but we’re not married , since i asked him long time ago two support his kids , he’s always promising everytime but he can’t keep his promise…. what shoul i do ?
We advise that you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Hy my dad was never part of my life ever since I was born my mother never applied for maintenance but now my dad has passed away and I am struggling to father my studies we are struggling financially my dad knew that I existed but I don’t think he knew my name he was teacher how do I claim for his estate?
It is best you see a lawyer and put in a claim.
Hi, my baby daddy is an unregistered loan shark but he is able to afford cars and a house that he built. How can I sue him for child maintainence in this case
Good day
Approach the maintenance court ASAP.
hellow,I once applied for a child maintenance in 2016,then I cancelled before before going to court,now my baby daddy is giving me problem in supporting a child,will they help me when I go to apply again
Good day
You should approach the court again. They would assist you.
Good evening… my name is Luvo Phathela, I’m 22 years old I’m doing first year in education in the university of the western cape. I’m covered by NSFAS but it is not enough. My mom and dad separated long time ago. My mother is a domestic worker who roughly earns about R500 a week. On the other side, my father has got a taxi business. I’m supported by my mom who is also supporting my other 3 siblings from her wages. My father does not support me he literally refuses to support me, for the reasons that are only known to himself. Since from secondary to high school i always have been supported by my mother. Can I place a charge against my father for failing to support me? Or do I qualify to apply for child maintenance ? Thanks in advance.
You have a claim for maintenance. We advise that you approach the maintenance court as soon as possible.
Good evening… my name is Luvo Phathela, I’m 22 years old I’m doing first in education in the university of the western cape. I’m covered by NSFAS but it is not enough. My mom and dad separated long time ago. My mother is a domestic worker who roughly earns about R500 a week. On the other side, my father has got a taxi business. I’m supported by my mom who is also supporting my other siblings from her wages. My father does not support me he literally refuses to support me, for his own known reasons that are known by himself. Since from secondary to high i have been supported by my mother. Can I place a charge against my father for failing to support me? Or do I qualify to apply for child maintenance ? Thanks in advance.
My baby daddy pays child support but it not enough it doesn’t cover our rent or medical bill or for our child’s schools . I told him to increase the money but he wouldn’t. So I applied for government child support grant,but still it not enough. Can I still take baby daddy to court even though i applied for the government grant ?
Yes you can.
This your site is really helpful and educative. i want to find out if i can approach a maintenance court even when i am unmarried to the my childs mother. i have been paying child support and buying the baby things but cant have access to my child. All i know about my child is from photos only when the baby mother decides to send me photo, even when i tried visiting her house she fights me, but when it is month end she ask for money for child maintenance. i have spoken to the uncle, mother, brothers they all granted me access to the house to visit my child and pay damages but my baby mother is adamant and her parents told me that i should approach the court as my child is suffering and my baby mother is not working to take care of my child and her other child from her previous relationship. i am so worried even though i dont have work a monthly work but i have a business as i sell cars and i also have a groccery shop. i have not seen my child since he was born and she only told me via sms more recently that she renamed the child other than the name i suggested to her and also my details are not included in the childs document/birth certificate. i am been treated bad because i am a foreigner though my baby mother family supports me.
Goo day. We advise that you approach the children’s court as soon as possible. They would be able to assist you in obtaining contact with the child.
I have an issue in that my ex husband is a senior policeman and the issue at maintenance court was very biased due to his close contacts/colleagues. How do i overcome that? i can not afford an attorney.
My complaints were all ignored.
Good day. It may be best to speak to somebody high up in the Department of Justice.
hy I have 3 year old son I can’t provide for him I’m currently studying at the college ad baby daddy he has stable well paying job he don’t wanna support my child like he should he. support him when its suit him its two months now.no money no nothing I don’t have any income support my child it’s very hard every time i have to remind him abt his child can I go maintenance I’m tired of this..
Good day
we advise that you approach the maintenance court ASAP.
Hi. I’m a thirty year old struggling to make ends meet. And my father has never supported me since birth.i approached him to take me to varsity after I completed my matric and he refused. Is it possible to lay a maintenance claim for all those
years?
We advise that you approach the maintenance court for advise on past maintenance.
Hi.
My son is 9 years old staying in his father’s home.His grandmother is taking care of him.His father is not support him at all even though the child is staying with his parents.
I would like to find out if I can apply for a child maintenance even though im not staying with the child and I don’t know the ID number of him.
If you are inuring expenses for the child, then you can.
Hi i am a 25 year old women and i have a son who is turning 8 years this year,
he stays with my mother because i working as an agent and i travel a lot due to my work.
i only get paid if i sign a client every month. meaning i earn less than 2000 a month. so i cant
do everything by myself. my baby daddy is also working but he doesn’t support the child
so what can i do to get him to support our son?
Approach the maintenance court as soon as possible.
I have been living with my boyfriend for 5 years now. We have a 6 year old daughter and I am also pregnant. Previously he did not have enough money so I would take care of all expenses. Now he has a better paying job, but our daughter’s school fees is 3 months in arrears, he does not but food or buy clothes for his daughter. He does not even take care of me. Can I file for child maintenance?
Yes, we advise you to approach the maintenance court as soon as possible.
hi… i have a 3 year old son and his father never supported him from birth.. now i went to the department but they could not assist me since i only have his name, surname and number, i dont know where he works. what should i do?
We suggest you approach the Maintenance Court. If they cannot help, then if you can afford it, approach a Private Investigator or Tracing Agency.
My baby daddy buys clothes winter and December, pays R270 for day care every month should I apply
You advise that you do.
Hi my daughter she’s 15 and me n her father we not stay together and he did not support a child til now can I go for maitanance but I don’t have any particulars for him I just knw a phone number and date of birth so I don’t knw what I can do
You should apply. The maintenance court can search for him.
I have a child with other person and I’m married and the father of my first child does not support so I’m staying far from where he stay can I apply for a maintenance from where I’m staying
Yes you can.
hi
my boy is 9yrs old . me & his dad we not stay together & he just give me money sometimes after three to four months . can I go for maintenance ?
Yes you can approach the Maintenance Court.
Good Day, I would like to ascertain if divorce order was granted and the maintenance was agreed in that order to what extent can the person who is liable to pay the maintenance be held accountable to pay. This is a query on behalf of a friend that needs a legal assistance.
Her Ex husband is a South Africa and has stopped paying maintenance but he lives in the UK and works there. His reason for not paying is that he wants to build a buffer as his excuse but he still works. Is there a legal route to getting him to pay his maintenance as we would like to explore if this is possible.
Good day
If there is an order, it must be followed. We advised that your friend approached the maintenance court.
am 23 years old,so just want to know,can I take my dad to court for supporting cz he was never ssupported me since I was a baby till now,can I??
You need to approach the maintenance court.
Im a foreigner want to no if i can be able to claim for childs support both of us are from Zimbabwe and we are both in South Africa
Good day
Yes, you can approach the maintenance court in your area.