Family and Estates

Settling a divorce by agreement

A South African couple sitting with a lawyer at a table, calmly signing a divorce settlement agreement

Not every divorce has to end up in a long court battle. When both spouses can agree on how to divide assets, who the children will live with and what maintenance will be paid, the divorce can usually proceed as uncontested. A signed settlement agreement is then made an order of court, which saves time, legal costs and stress.

Two South African professionals, a woman and a man, sitting across a table in a bright office discussing papers, for div

Reaching that agreement is not always easy, and it helps to have each spouse properly advised. We explain how your marriage regime, such as in community of property or with accrual, affects the division of assets. Where children are involved, a parenting plan sets out care and contact arrangements so everyone knows what to expect.