Child maintenance matters everyday

By: Nobukhosi Tshabalala

Twitter: @n_tshabalala_

Email address: ayakhosi32@gmail.com

Every child has a right to be maintained financially

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Mothers are struggling to feed and raise their children because of irresponsible fathers shifting the blame to Coronavirus pandemic as an excuse not to pay maintenance. Unfortunately, not all parents honor this duty of supporting or maintain the well-being of their children. When it comes to our children we need to be strong , commitment and love is not negotiable. 

Raising a child is one of the biggest and toughest undertaking. It takes a lot of time and love to ensure they get a good foundation in life so that you set a bright future for them. It needs financial aspect, so while parents needs to provide love and care they also need to play their part in paying the bill's. 

Paying maintenance is known as the run away duty to some parents but all parents have the responsibility to make sure that their children have access to education and financial support. According to Parent24, "maintenance binds two people long after their relationship has ended due to the child's needs. In an effort to provide for their children and parents often find themselves battling in court for the financial necessary to feed, clothes, house, care and education".

If you don't know the whereabouts of your child's other parent maintenance investigators can trace them and determine their financial state. Parents are required to pay maintenance until a child is self-supporting.  It can happen that if you don't pay maintenance the court can take the money from your accounts and send it to the child or issue a warrant of arrest. The maintenance amount can increase or decrease depending on the financial circumstances.

These no child maintenance payment holiday       

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Some use an excuse of payment holiday for maintenance but these no such thing. A child might starve to death after months not receiving maintenance to buy food. If it happens not to be able to pay maintenance you can go to court with a letter saying so or proof of payment .Although some parents use their children as an revenge to get to battle with other parent. I have seen most cases were many parents manipulate the situations related to frustration, disappointment or sadness towards their current or ex partner. They allow their wounded egos and make decisions when emotional that hurt their children forever. They use their children as pawns and that is just wrong. Child maintenance is not about revenge. All children are entitled to receive maintenance from their parents whether adopted or born out of wedlock. 

Procedures to follow when applying maintenance order

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 According to The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 Family Law, the parent first need to apply for a maintenance order at a Magistrate's court where the children is resident by submitting application form with certain documents for a maintenance order. Once the application has been verified the claim will be investigated and the applicant will be given a notice setting out the time and date that the inquiry will be attended to. The parents will be invited to enter into some negotiations. Once the matter is addressed and heard with evidence provided the Court will make an order in terms of maintenance. Jim Henson says "The attitude that you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from, more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are".