Under South African law, every parent owes a duty of support to their children, this applies even if the child’s parents are not married, or were never even a couple.
 

Therefore, if you are a single mother, and never even had a relationship with the child’s father, you are entitled to financial assistance from the father to care for the child.

The Maintenance Act No.99 of 1998 sets out your rights and the procedure to lodge a claim.

It is a common misconception that a parent only needs to pay child maintenance until the child is 18 years old. This is incorrect, South African law states that a parent must pay maintenance until the child is self supporting, i.e able to work and support him or herself.

The most common dispute between parents relates to how much maintenance you must pay. The general rule is that it depends on the needs of the child and the affordability of the parents, there is however a standard formula to calculate the approximate amount due, which is as follows:

(individual parent's gross income) / (total gross income of both parents) x (child's needs) = (individual parent's contribution)
 

Contact us to make sure you receive the assistance you are lawfully entitled to.