Child maintenance is an important legal obligation in South Africa, but many parents find themselves struggling to navigate the legal system when it comes to determining the appropriate amount of maintenance to be paid. While the court system can be effective in resolving disputes, it can also be slow, expensive, and emotionally draining. Unfortunately, what typically happens when parents jump from attorney's offices to family court to fight for or against more child maintenance, the children and contact with them are used as weapons by one parent in order to force the other to bend to their will. This popular tactic has both parents and their children ending up as the ultimate losers, even if one party eventually ends up getting their way in court. This is because of what it took to get to that result - enormous amounts of unnecessary legal fees, a protracted court battle, and, more importantly, the co-parenting relationship that has been damaged. Parents are often unaware of how perceptive children are - they pick up on all of this and however resilient, can carry these traumas with them for life.
At Open Mind Mediation, we encourage parents to consider mediation as an alternative to going to court. Mediation is a process that allows parents to work together to reach an agreement that is in the best interests of their child, rather than fighting each other in court. Our mediation process is based on in-depth calculations that consider the child's needs and the financial resources of both parents. We provide single and divorced parents with the necessary tips and tools to put a child maintenance agreement in place that will work for all parties involved.
We use actual, realistic everyday expenses to calculate child maintenance, which means that each parent ends up contributing only what they can, in proportion to their incomes. This ensures that the child's needs are adequately provided for, while also taking into account the financial circumstances of the parents.
There are many benefits to mediation, including the fact that it is often faster and less expensive than going to court. Mediation can also be less stressful for the parties involved, and can be especially beneficial for the emotional well-being of the child. When parents can work together to reach a resolution, it can help to reduce conflict and tension between them, which can have positive long-term effects on their relationship with their child.
To help parents decide whether mediation is the right choice for them, we have put together a checklist of questions to consider:
Are you willing to work together with your co-parent to find a solution?
Are you willing to consider compromise?
Are you willing to put your child's best interests first?
Do you want to avoid the stress and expense of going to court?
Do you want to have more control over the outcome of your dispute?
If you answered yes to these questions, don't hesitate, mediate! At Open Mind Mediation, we are committed to helping families find solutions that work for them. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where parents can work together to create a plan that is in the best interests of their child. An effective child maintenance and Parenting Plan can continue to work for them as their needs change, without anyone having to approach lawyers or the courts.
In conclusion, while child maintenance is an important legal obligation in South Africa, resolving disputes through mediation can often be a better option than going to court. Mediation allows parents to work together to create a solution that is in their child's best interests, while being faster, less expensive, and less stressful than going to court. If you are considering mediation, we encourage you to contact us at Open Mind Mediation to learn more about how we can help you find a solution that works for your family.
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