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expat divorces south africa

Foreign Expat Divorce in South Africa

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Where to divorce if you live in South Africa?

If you are an international expat residing in South Africa and you are contemplating divorcing from your spouse, you will be asking yourself where to start and exactly what law will apply to you. One may perhaps presume that you must institute divorce in the country in in which you were married, then again this is not the case. 

Using the Family Laws in South Africa to Resolve Disputes

Occasionally, foreign expats residing in South Africa may not have jurisdiction to divorce in their country of origin, or they may perhaps be advised that divorcing in South Africa will result to a much more favourable financial result. For those expats contemplating divorce in South Africa, it is crucial to mention that financial claims might be made in their country of origin after a divorce in South Africa. In England for example a spouse may after a divorce abroad under Part III Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 institute financial claims in England. When deciding on a divorce abroad, thorough guidance should be obtained concerning the possible claims that can be made in other countries, so that the best protective steps can be taken.

Divorce process in South Africa

Any foreign expatriate can divorce in the South African courts if both or either one of the spouses are domiciled in the area of jurisdiction of the court, or if either party is ordinarily resident in the area of jurisdiction of the court and has been ordinarily resident in South Africa prior to the divorce action being instituted.

Domicile of South Africa can be acquired by an expat who is physically present or resident and who intends to remain settled there. In essence, determining domicile is a factual enquiry. Provided that domicile can be demonstrated in South Africa, South African courts have jurisdiction and divorce proceedings can be issued, even though the spouse to be served with the divorce proceedings resides in South Africa or abroad.

Grounds for divorce in South Africa:

  • Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (which is the most typical); and
  • Mental illness or unconsciousness.

There is no minimum requirement in terms of the duration of the marriage, as there is in other countries, and South African divorce functions as  a no-fault system, therefore the conduct that caused the breakdown of the marriage is of no concern really to a South African court.

In terms of South African law as it currently stands (unless there is a constitutional challenge in future), the husband’s domicile as at the date of marriage decides which laws will govern and decide the proprietary consequences of the marriage. By way of example, if the husband was domiciled say in England at the date of spouse's marriage, a South African court will apply English law and will determine the proprietary consequences of the marriage according to English law. The South African court process is followed but maintenance/support in respect of the other spouse or in respect of children are dealt with in terms of South African family law. If such a case proceeds to trial in a contested matter a South Africann court will draw on expert evidence as to what an English courts would do with regard to a division of assets, and the South African court would make a decision based on English law.

In cases where the husband was domiciled in South Africa at the time of marriage and married a British wife South African law will govern and decide the proprietary outcomes of the marriage. 

As opposed to in England, the divorce process is not a peace meal process. All the claims, regardless of whether they are financial or child related must be dealt with in the divorce itself. However, a South African court will usually only have jurisdiction in respect of minor children (below 18 years) if they are residing in South Africa, unless of course an agreement is arived at between the parents  in respect of the children’s care and contact arrangements and the parties are merely requesting the court for an order to mirror this.

The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 regulate all children arrangements (those 18 and under), in which the best interests of the child are always paramount. Married moms and dads have both automatic and full parental responsibilities and rights.  A mother or father may be awarded primary or shared residence of the minor children, with definite contact rights. In addition both parents have a responsibility to maintain their children financially in accordance with their respective means.

It is significant to note that both parents’ permission is needed for the removal of any minor children from South Africa, regardless of whether for a holiday or permanent.  If one parent declines to consent, a court application must be made to the High Court for authorization, even if it is just for a vacation. In the event a parent removes a child without having the consent of the other parent or order of the High Court, it may constitute ‘child abduction’. South Africa is also signatory to the Hague Convention on child abduction. Consequently if an expat mother or father relocates with the child to another Hague signatory country (like France, Germany, England or the US), without having the permission of the other parent or the court, the parent who did not consent could seek orders for the child’s instantaneous return to South Africa.

Options for South African expats who are living in foreign countries

A South African expatriate can divorce in the South African courts if they or their spouse are domiciled in the area of jurisdiction of the court, or if either party is ordinarily resident in the area of jurisdiction of the court and has been ordinarily resident in South Africa for a year prior to the divorce action being instituted. A South African living in a foreign country, may divorce in South Africa if such a person regards South Africa as his/her domicile. Thus the fact that a South African lives in another country does not exclude him/her to conclude the divorce in South Africa.

Consequently, a South African expat maintains his/her domicile of origin in South Africa provided they intend to return and finally remain in South Africa. 

In South Africa, it is typical for husbands and wives to enter into an ante-nuptial contract regulating the proprietary consequences of the marriage. This allows them to decide under what matrimonial property regime they want to be married:
​
  • In or out of community of property;
  • Out of community of property with the accrual system;
  • Out of community of property without the accrual system.

Where a couple marries without entering into an ante-nuptial contract, they are by default married in community of property.

Under community of property, the husband and wife has a single joint estate, so that they become each joint owners of all the the assets and debts, regardless of whether it was acquired prior to the marriage or during the course of the marriage. Therefore, on divorce, there will be an equal division of the joint estate, except if a forfeiture of benefits is ordered under certain tight conditions. If parties are married in community of property, creditors can sue both of them for any debts, even if incurred by only one spouse.

Under the accrual system, each spouse has a individual and separate estate and manages his or her own assets, and is accountable for his or her own debts throughout the marriage. On divorce, the value of each’s spouses assets gained during the course of the marriage is determined, and the spouse whose estate has expanded less than the other’s estate during the course of the marriage will attain 50 percent the difference between the growths in their respective estates i.e. there is an equal sharing of the growth of the spouses’ estates during the course of the marriage, but no sharing of what the other spouse brought into the marriage, except if specifically agreed.

In the event a couple do not wish to share each other’s assets and debts to any extent on divorce, they must indicate in the ante-nuptial contract that they want to be married out of community with no accrual system.

Apart from the proprietary consequences of the marriage, in specific circumstances a husband or wife can apply for spousal maintenance if they are divorcing in South Africa, and this will be determined in conformity with South African law, irrespective of the husband’s domicile at the time of marriage. 

Regardless of whether you are an expat living in South Africa, or a South African expat living in a foreign country, mindful consideration should be given as to where will be the better jurisdiction to start divorce proceedings.  Jurisdiction is complicated, and the incorrect guidance can contribute to expensive disputes and unneeded litigation.

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​MAURICE PHILLIPS WISENBERG

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Telephone: +27 21 419 7115


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Email: familylaw@mpw.co.za
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  • Home
  • Divorce
    • The Divorce Process in South Africa
    • Rule 41A Mediation
    • The Marital Property Regimes >
      • Marriage out of Community of Property, new case
      • Marriage in Community of Property
      • Marriage out of community without accrual
      • Marriage out of community with the inclusion of the accrual
      • Universal Partnerships
      • Register Antenuptial Contract Online
      • Changing your matrimonial regime.
    • Division of Assets at Divorce >
      • Forfeiture of Assets in a Divorce
    • Evicting your spouse divorce
    • Retirement Funds and Divorce
    • Living Annuities
    • Hiding Assets in a Divorce
    • Trusts and Divorce >
      • Can I hide assets in Trust?
    • Divorce a Missing Spouse
    • Adultery and Suing a Third Party
    • Domicile in Divorce Cases
    • International Divorces in South Africa
    • Expat South African Divorce
    • International Jurisdiction
    • Spousal Visas
    • International Divorce Law >
      • UK Divorce Laws
    • Choosing a Divorce Attorney
    • On-line Divorce
    • Lawyer Fees and Costs
    • Important Aspects of a Divorce
    • Dealing with Emotions During Divorce and Separation
    • Divorce Statistics
    • Divorce Therapy and Counselling >
      • Marriage and Relationship Therapists
    • Rebuilding Your Financial Life
    • Divorce Attorney Cape Town
    • Divorce Polls
    • Ingredients of a successful relationship
    • Uncontested Divorce
    • Uncontested Divorce - What Happens on the Court Day?
  • Maintenance
    • Maintenance Child COVID19
    • Spousal maintenance
    • How to calculate Child Maintenance?
    • Maintenance Defaulters
    • What Happens if you don't pay child maintenance
    • Child Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions
    • Rule 43 Interim Maintenance Pending Divorce >
      • Can I appeal a Rule 43 Order
      • Apply for Costs in Rule 43
      • Financial Disclosure Rule 43
      • Rule 43 Maintenance
    • The Maintenance Manual
    • Grand Parents and Maintenance
  • Children
    • Relocation and Child Abduction >
      • Frequently Asked Questions about Child Relocation
      • Child Relocation to New Zealand
      • International Child Custody Law South Africa
      • Tips on international child custody
    • Unmarried Parents and the Law
    • Parenting Plans >
      • Conflict and dispute-resolution mechanisms
    • The non-custodian parent and contact
    • Appointing a Guardian in a Will
    • Introducing a new partner to your child
    • Refusal of Contact
    • Vaccinating Children Covid-19
    • Suspending Parental Rights
    • Parental Alienation >
      • Alienating Children
      • Parental Alienation Imprisonment
    • Facilitation
    • Living Arrangements
    • Joint decisions about your child
    • Paternity Disputes
    • The Family Advocate
    • Parenting during separartion
    • Children's Act 38 of 2005
  • Abuse
    • Domestic Violence Amended Bill
    • Gender Based Violence in South Africa
    • Domestic Abuse Forms
    • Evicting a Spouse
    • Domestic Violence Corona Virus
    • Divorcing an Abusive Spouse
    • What is Coercive Control?
    • What is Emotional Abuse
    • What is Sexual Abuse
    • What is Financial Abuse >
      • Economic Abuse
    • What is Stalking
    • What is Verbal Abuse
    • What is Spiritual Abuse
    • What is Social Abuse
    • Revenge Porn
    • Interdict Intimate photos
    • Steps to obtain a Protection Order
    • Domestic Violence eBook
    • The Protection Order
    • Who Qualifies for a Protection Order
    • Breaching a Protection Order
    • Questions on Domestic Abuse
    • Signs of an Abusive Relationship
    • Domestic Violence Information
    • Harassment
  • Cohabitation
    • Maintenance and Cohabitation
    • Sample Cohabitation Agreement
    • Engagement and the law
    • Formalities for marriage in south africa
  • Same Sex
  • Family Law eBooks
  • Family Law Links
    • The South African Court System
    • Court Rolls
    • Family Law Legislation
    • Family Law Blog
    • New Family Law Cases
    • Family Law Matters
    • Register for the Online Family Law Course
    • Online Family Law Education
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Charities