Child Maintenance Lawyers in Johannesburg
Hugh Raichlin Attorneys assists with establishing, changing and enforcing child maintenance in Johannesburg. We help clients organise the child's needs, relevant financial information and existing payment records so the appropriate process can be considered.
Brief initial telephone discussion at no charge. A paid consultation is arranged where appropriate. Attorney follow-up is ordinarily within one working day.
This page is for you if…
- No suitable maintenance arrangement exists.
- Payments under an existing order have stopped or are irregular.
- School, medical or other costs have changed.
- You need to respond to a maintenance claim or request a lawful variation.
How Hugh Raichlin Attorneys can help
Prepare a realistic maintenance schedule
We help distinguish the child's costs from general household spending and identify supporting records. A clear schedule is more useful than an unsupported total or a list designed to punish the other parent.
Establish or vary the obligation
We assess the appropriate forum and documents, including any pending divorce or existing order. The correct route may be an ordinary maintenance process or a procedure within matrimonial litigation.
Address non-payment
An accurate payment history is important for assessing arrears and available enforcement measures. The remedy depends on the order, default and evidence; enforcement is not the same as increasing the monthly amount.
What to consider before deciding
Both needs and means matter
Changes in employment, health, schooling or dependency should be documented. An existing order is not automatically reduced because one parent says circumstances have changed.
Maintenance and contact are separate issues
Do not withhold contact to force payment or stop paying because contact is disputed. Raise each concern through the appropriate legal process, while giving proper attention to any genuine safety issue.
Public court assistance remains available
The maintenance court can assist applicants through its processes. Private legal advice can be valuable where the evidence, arrears, variation or related litigation is complex. The firm will assess suitability during the initial call.
Three distinct maintenance service paths
Establish an order
Set up a maintenance arrangement where none exists, assessing the child's needs and the parents' means.
Vary an order
Seek a lawful change to an existing order based on properly supported changes in circumstances.
Enforce an order
Address non-payment or arrears through the available enforcement measures, supported by an accurate payment history.
The next steps
- 1Review any agreement or order and identify establishment, variation or enforcement.
- 2Compile needs, means and a reliable payment schedule.
- 3Prepare the appropriate request or response.
- 4Clarify the order, payment method and follow-up steps.
Information to prepare
Existing orders and agreements; birth certificate; itemised child-related costs; proof of payments and arrears; income and expense information; relevant correspondence. Do not include detailed account or child identifiers in the initial enquiry.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not treat a verbal promise as a court variation, invent expenses or assume support ends automatically at 18. Preserve proof of both payments made and payments received.
Relevant experience for your matter
The family team assists with financial disclosures, parenting matters and court documents, allowing maintenance questions to be assessed alongside connected issues.
Jessica El-Hage
Attorney
LLB · University of Johannesburg
Family-law work including opposed and unopposed divorce, settlement agreements and parenting matters.
View Jessica's profile
Mpho Kutumela
Attorney
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
Family-law proceedings, Rule 43 applications, settlement agreements and financial-disclosure preparation.
View Mpho's profileFrequently asked questions
How much maintenance can I claim?
That depends on the child's reasonable needs and the parents' financial means. There is no universal percentage or fixed amount for every family.
Can the amount be changed?
A properly supported variation may be possible. Follow the legal process rather than changing an existing order unilaterally.
What about a child over 18?
Support can continue while a child is not self-supporting, depending on the circumstances. Obtain advice about the order and correct procedure.
Will the firm take every maintenance matter?
The initial telephone discussion assesses suitability and the help required. Paid representation is not automatically confirmed by an enquiry.
Related services
Address the maintenance issue through the right process.
Tell us whether you need to establish, vary or enforce maintenance, and what records you have. A brief enquiry is enough to begin the assessment.
What happens next?
Start with a brief telephone discussion so the firm can understand your matter and decide whether it may assist. That initial discussion is free. Where appropriate, a paid consultation is arranged, usually in person; remote arrangements may be considered.
You can begin through our AI-assisted WhatsApp enquiry service at any time. It gathers initial information and does not provide legal advice. Suitable prospective clients ordinarily receive an attorney call within one working day. A message does not confirm an appointment, acceptance of a matter or action on a deadline.
Speak to Hugh Raichlin Attorneys
Visit us by arrangement at 1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg 2192. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 08:30–17:00. New enquiries and WhatsApp: 011 010 8336. Email: reception@raichlin.co.za. Existing clients should use 011 483 1527.
Website information is general and is not legal advice. Every matter depends on its facts. Please send sensitive documents only when requested through an appropriate channel.
This website provides general information, not legal advice. Sending an enquiry does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Each matter is assessed on its own facts.