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Can an unmarried father register a child under his surname?

15 November 2021

I’m the father of a newborn daughter. The mother, to whom I’m not married, disappeared immediately after birth leaving me... as sole parent of my daughter. Because I don’t know where the mother is I cannot get the mother’s consent. Without this consent Home Affairs does not want to register my daughter under my surname. I have no idea what to do now. Can you help?

389

Article

Is spanking your child unlawful?

08 March 2018

I saw it reported in the news recently that spanking your child has finally been criminalised. Is this true? Will... this not result in overloading our justice system even more than it already is?

304

Article

Pension interest and divorce

14 December 2016

I’ve been married for 20 years, but my marriage is in trouble and I’m facing the very real possibility that... I may get divorced soon. My husband has a good pension that we’ve planned to use for our retirement, and I am worried that I will not be entitled to any share of that should we get divorced because we are married out of community of property with the accrual? Will this be the case?

395

Article

Can my husband also be my business partner?

12 September 2016

My husband and I are married out of community of property and without the accrual. For the last ten years... we have both worked together in our family business. Due to health reasons, my involvement in the business is becoming less. Our marriage is also upon difficult times, and I am concerned that should we end up in a divorce, whether I would be entitled to share in the profits of the business which we have built up together.

442

Article

Can my child become an Aussie without daddy’s consent?

02 June 2016

I am recently divorced. I want to permanently relocate to Australia with my two minor children as I have obtained... a wonderful work opportunity which will benefit myself and my children tremendously. However, my ex, the father of my two children, refuses to give his consent, despite the fact that the children reside with me. Do I need his consent to take them with me?

360

Article

My mother’s sick. Can I manage her personal affairs?

21 April 2016

My mother has been living with Alzheimer’s for a number of years and has deteriorated badly these last few weeks.... I know my father left her some money, and I want to make sure that this money is correctly used for her care. But am I allowed to take over control of her affairs?

466

Article