How much is a family lawyer in South Africa?

Asked by: Crawford Hermann  |  Last update: November 7, 2023
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

South African Divorce Lawyers charge hourly rates of between R800 and R4000 per hour. Unopposed divorces are often charged at fixed prices which varies between R10 000 and R20 000.

How much is a lawyer in South Africa?

Senior Counsel: R3 000.00 – R4 400.00; Junior Counsel: R700. 00 – R1 700.00; Candidate Attorney: R1 000.00; Junior Attorney: R1 800.00; Senior Attorney: R2 800.00.

How much does it cost to get a divorce in SA?

The cost of an absolute divorce in South Africa can vary depending on a number of factors, such as whether the parties use a lawyer, the complexity of the case, and the location of the court. On average, an absolute divorce can cost anywhere from R10,000 to R50,000 or more, with most of the cost being for legal fees.

How much does a family lawyer earn per month in South Africa?

The average family law salary in South Africa is R 228 000 per year or R 117 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 214 500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 420 000 per year.

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer in South Africa?

In addition, you will be required to pay a deposit, commonly known as a retainer. Unopposed annulments are typically charged at a set fee, and the amount varies between R10 000 and R20 000. However, you may find cheap divorce lawyers charging R1000.

Overview of Family Courts in South Africa – ThinkLegal Webinar

39 related questions found

How long is a divorce process in South Africa?

An uncontested divorce can be finalized in as little as 4 weeks. If a divorce is contested it may take between 2 - 3 years, but most contested divorces do settle long before they go on trial.

How does a divorce work in South Africa?

A divorce is a legal separation of a couple. If you have a civil marriage your divorce will be dissolved using the Divorce Act. Marriages in terms of African Customary Law are ended using civil or customary law. This means that the marriage will be dissolved using the Divorce Act but certain conditions may apply.

How much does a divorce attorney earn in South Africa?

A mid-career Divorce Lawyer with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R425,000 based on 5 salaries.

Is family law in demand in South Africa?

Divorce/ family attorney - R198,317 pa

The increased number of divorces has increased the demand for divorce lawyers. Family attorneys earn about R198,317 annually.

What are the highest paid lawyers in South Africa?

General Counsel salary in South Africa 2023

The highest-paid lawyers in South Africa, according to the Robert Walters salary benchmark, are general counsels in the financial services, commercial, and industrial sectors. A general counsel in the finance industry earns a minimum salary of R2. 3 million per year.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce settlement in South Africa?

This is the default marital regime for South African marriages, and if you didn't sign an ante-nuptial contract (“ANC”) before you married, all your assets and liabilities at date of divorce (with a few specific exceptions) will automatically belong to both of you in “undivided shares” i.e. 50/50.

How long does it take to divorce a foreigner in South Africa?

The Department of Home Affairs can take months on end to register the foreign divorce and to update the parties' details on their system in terms of the marital status. Even so, it takes only a few minutes to hand the required documents for the registration of a foreign divorce in at the Department of Home Affairs.

Do I need my divorce papers to remarry in South Africa?

It is necessary to obtain a final divorce decree in South Africa to remarry, which gives you the freedom to marry anyone you prefer without any ties to your ex.

Are you allowed a lawyer if you can t afford one in South Africa?

To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a 'means test' (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).

Who pays lawyers in South Africa?

Typically the purchaser pays the transfer fees charged by the conveyancing attorneys attending to the transfer of the property into the purchaser's name.

What are lawyers called in South Africa?

There is not difference between a lawyer and an attorney, other than semantics. In different regions around the world, licenced legal professionals are called by different names. In South Africa, we refer to someone who performs a legal function as lawyers or attorneys (which can be used interchangeably).

Can a mother get full custody in South Africa?

Although mothers automatically receive full rights and responsibilities for their child(ren), a court, for various reasons, can grant the father primary residential custody. Many legalities are involved in deciding where a child should reside.

Is South Africa a good place to raise a family?

South Africa makes it into foreign expats' top 20 countries to raise kids. According to a survey by an international website InterNations, South Africa rates as one of the Top 20 best countries in the world to raise a family…but there is a caveat!

Is family advocate free in South Africa?

The services of the Family Advocate are rendered to the public free of charge. The Family Advocate is a legal officer employed by the Department of Justice and acts as legal representative of the children.

Who initiates divorce more in South Africa?

Cape Town - More black South Africans are getting divorced than ever before, and across all population groups more women tend to initiate divorce proceedings than men. This was just some marriage and divorce data across the country released yesterday by Statistics SA from a survey conducted in 2021.

What is the highest paid divorce?

The most expensive divorce in history was between Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and Mackenzie Scott. The couple divorced in 2019 with a $38 billion settlement, making it the biggest divorce settlement ever recorded. Adjusted for inflation in 2023 dollars, this is about $44 billion.

How do lawyers get paid in South Africa?

The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 732 000 per year or R 375 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 259 500 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 6 780 000 per year.

Is divorce common in South Africa?

While marriages in SA decreased, divorces increased by 13,1% since 2020. 18 208 divorces were granted in 2021. The General Divorce Rate (GDR) is the number of people who are getting divorced in that year divided by the population aged 15 years and above for every 100 000 population.

Can you stop a divorce after filing in South Africa?

Your Content Note that the divorce process may be halted at any time after the summons if the parties reach a settlement agreement and this is submitted to the court.

How does alimony work in South Africa?

The Courts have a discretion and can make an order of Court for one spouse to pay spousal maintenance to the other spouse for a fixed time, such as for one year after the divorce or an indefinite period. Payments are typically made monthly.