Payment for newly born baby
The father of our 19 year old domestic worker refuses to pay maintenance for their newly born baby. Apparently he has kids with other women. How can we compel him to pay up?
Category: Marriage and Divorce, Children Issues
Region: South Africa, Freestate
1 Answer
It is the duty of both parents to support a child. She will need to approach the Maintenance Officer at the local Magistrates Court who will assist her in completing a claim form, and having it served on the baby’s father. The officer will set a date to make an enquiry and try to mediate on the amount that the father must pay per month as child support, after taking into account the income and expenses of both parties. If an amount is agreed, it will be made an order of court, and failure to pay is a criminal offence under the law. Usually a register is kept at the court where the amount is paid, and can be collected. If there is no agreement, both parties will be asked to appear before a magistrate who will make an enquiry with the file. The magistrate then might require both parties to testify under oath about their circumstances. He/she will then determine an amount to be paid by the delinquent father.