Parenting Plans, Care & Contact in Johannesburg
A parenting plan should help a child live with predictable, workable arrangements—not simply divide weekends on a calendar. Hugh Raichlin Attorneys helps parents in Johannesburg address care, contact, decision-making and the practical responsibilities arising after separation.
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…
- You need a written plan after separation.
- Holiday, school or handover arrangements are unclear.
- Parents disagree about decisions, communication or contact.
- A move, work change or other development affects the existing plan.
How Hugh Raichlin Attorneys can help
Build from the child's actual routine
We consider schooling, healthcare, age, relationships, practical travel and the information needed for safe handovers. A useful plan anticipates ordinary difficulties rather than relying on parents to renegotiate every detail.
Address responsibilities and decisions
Care and contact should be considered alongside guardianship, important decisions and communication. We help distinguish matters that require consent or a legal step from everyday arrangements.
Record and implement the agreement appropriately
The legal route for recording, registering or incorporating a parenting plan depends on the circumstances and existing proceedings. We explain how the Family Advocate and court may be involved.
What to consider before deciding
A template is not the same as a workable plan
Parents may have different work schedules, a child may have specific needs and long-distance contact may need additional detail. Copying another family's arrangement can create avoidable conflict.
Safety can change the process
Tell the firm about abuse, coercion, supervision needs or existing protection orders. Joint mediation is not automatically appropriate, and genuine safeguarding concerns must not be reduced to an ordinary scheduling disagreement.
Existing orders and relocation
A private agreement should not be assumed to override a court order. Seek advice before a significant move or unilateral change, particularly where consent, travel documents or a change in schooling is involved.
What a practical parenting plan addresses
Everyday care
Where the child lives, daily routines and the practical responsibilities of each parent.
Contact
When and how the other parent spends time with the child, including handovers and travel.
Holidays
School holidays, festive periods and special occasions shared in a predictable way.
Decisions
Major choices about health, education and welfare that require consent or consultation.
Communication
How parents share information and how the child keeps in contact with each parent.
Review
A mechanism for revisiting the plan as the child grows or circumstances change.
The next steps
- 1Identify current responsibilities, orders and the child's routine.
- 2Develop practical proposals and resolve missing information.
- 3Negotiate or mediate where safe and suitable.
- 4Record the plan through the appropriate process and clarify implementation.
Information to prepare
Existing orders/plans; a proposed weekly and holiday routine; school calendar; work/travel schedules; health or support requirements relevant to planning; significant areas of disagreement.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid using the child to carry messages, promising an automatic equal-time outcome, leaving handover details vague or treating a plan as a way to limit lawful maintenance obligations.
Relevant experience for your matter
Jessica and Mpho's family-law work includes parenting arrangements and settlements. Hugh's mediation experience is available where a neutral process is appropriate and conflicts permit.
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 profile
Hugh Raichlin
Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator
BA, LLB · University of the Witwatersrand
40 years of legal experience across contested and negotiated family-law matters, with court-annexed and international mediation credentials.
View Hugh's profileFrequently asked questions
Will a plan automatically give each parent equal time?
No. The arrangement should be assessed against the child's needs and circumstances, not a universal allocation.
Can mediation help us draft a plan?
It may, where safe and suitable. A neutral mediator facilitates discussion; each parent can still require independent legal advice.
Can a plan be changed?
Changes may be possible, but the existing legal status and any court order matter. Use an appropriate process rather than unilateral action.
Can HRA generate a binding plan from an online form?
No. The website captures an enquiry only. A legally appropriate plan requires instructions, review and the necessary formal steps.
Related services
Useful sources
Build a parenting plan around the child's actual routine.
Tell us about the current arrangements, any existing orders and the main points of disagreement. 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.