21/10/2026
🎮 “My child is 12 now. They get to choose which parent they want to live with!”
Is that how it works? Not quite. ⚖️
In South Africa, there is no automatic age at which a child gets to decide which parent they will live with.
A child’s views and wishes must be considered in a way that takes their age and maturity into account. As children grow older, their opinions may carry significant weight, but the final decision must prioritise their best interests.
That means the decision isn’t simply about which parent has the better house, fewer rules or the latest PlayStation! 🎮
❤️ Parenting disputes are about more than what a child wants in the moment. Their needs, safety, stability and well-being matter.
Are you navigating a parenting dispute or need guidance on care, contact and access arrangements?
Contact Dirks Ernstzen Attorneys for legal guidance.
📲 WhatsApp: 062 678 4931
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.dirksattorneys.com
📍 9 Riverstone Road, Wynberg Upper, Cape Town