Divorce Attorneys

When to hire a divorce attorney

• You have decided to divorce and need a settlement agreement drafted.
• You and your spouse disagree on children, maintenance, or property division.
• Your spouse has filed divorce papers and you have been served.
• You suspect your spouse is hiding assets or moving money offshore.
• You need an urgent protection order or Rule 43 interim relief.

What to expect

Your attorney first maps your marital regime, identifies all assets and liabilities, and establishes whether children are involved. For uncontested matters, they draft a settlement agreement and parenting plan, which both parties sign before a court date is set. For contested matters, the process moves through pleadings (summons, plea, counterclaim), discovery, Rule 43 interim relief if needed, and eventually trial. A final decree of divorce is granted once the court is satisfied the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

Typical fees

Uncontested: R6,000-R18,000 all-inclusive. Contested: R50,000-R600,000+ depending on complexity, counsel's seniority, and time to trial. Most attorneys charge hourly (R1,500-R4,500/hr) with a retainer upfront. Ask about fixed fees for uncontested work.

Frequently Asked Questions