Family Law Attorneys for Clear, Practical Guidance
Confidential advice for divorce, maintenance, parenting and protection matters.
Family matters are personal and often time-sensitive. Sarah Alison Attorneys provides confidential advice on divorce, maintenance, care and contact, antenuptial contracts and protection orders, with offices in Sandton and Umhlanga.
In Short
Sarah Alison Attorneys assists individuals and families with divorce, maintenance, care and contact, antenuptial contracts and protection orders in Durban and Johannesburg, with discretion and a focus on fair, sustainable outcomes.
Overview
Confidential Guidance Through Every Family Law Matter
Family matters are personal and often time-sensitive. We provide confidential advice on divorce, maintenance, care and contact, antenuptial contracts and protection orders, routing every enquiry to the right service and the right office.
Our approach stays calm, practical and child-centred where children are involved, with plain-language explanation of your options and a proportionate strategy — whether that means negotiation, mediation or, where necessary, court proceedings.
This page provides general South African information and is not legal advice for your specific circumstances.
How We Can Assist
How Our Family Law Attorneys Can Assist
Divorce
Contested and uncontested divorce, settlement, children and financial consequences.
02Maintenance
New applications, variation, enforcement and financial evidence.
03Care and Contact
Parental responsibilities, parenting plans, residence schedules and contact.
04Antenuptial Contracts
Notarial planning for matrimonial property before marriage.
05Protection Orders
Legal help concerning domestic violence and protection-order proceedings.
06Family Law in Sandton
Local consultation and court-route guidance from our Johannesburg office.
07Family Law in Durban/KZN
Service across Durban and KZN from our Umhlanga office.
Child-Centred
The Best Interests of the Child Come First
The Children's Act uses parental responsibilities and rights including care, contact, guardianship and maintenance. Courts consider relevant best-interest factors rather than applying a single automatic rule.
Children should not be used as messengers, evidence-gatherers or leverage. See the Department of Justice Children's Act information and our care and contact page.
General South African information only. No parent receives an automatic outcome based on gender.
Divorce and Separation
Advice Before, During and After Divorce
We advise on the matrimonial-property regime, uncontested versus contested procedure, settlement and mediation possibilities, children, maintenance and parenting arrangements, assets, liabilities, pensions and financial disclosure, urgent interim issues, and implementation of the final order.
Maintenance
Maintenance Based on Needs, Means and Evidence
Maintenance may involve children, spouses or other legally recognised duties of support. The court requires reliable evidence of needs, expenses, income and means. A parent's conflict with the other parent does not remove a child's right to support.
Planning Ahead
Parenting Plans and Antenuptial Contracts
For Parents & Guardians
Care, Contact and Parenting Plans
Parenting arrangements may address residence, routines, school, holidays, communication, travel, healthcare, decision-making and how parents resolve future disagreements. The Office of the Family Advocate is neutral and focuses on children's best interests.
For Engaged Couples
Antenuptial Contracts
Prospective spouses should obtain advice before marriage, choose an appropriate system and complete notarial execution and registration steps in time. This is a planning decision, not a simple “protect your assets” choice.
Protection and Urgent Safety
Protection Orders and
Domestic Violence Assistance
Domestic violence may include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic abuse, harassment, stalking, property damage and other controlling conduct recognised by current law. We use privacy-safe intake and direct-contact guidance — we never require a detailed abuse narrative through a marketing form.
Getting Started
Choosing a Process and
Preparing for a Consultation
Choosing a Process
Choose a Process That Fits the Matter
Negotiation or mediation can help where it is safe and appropriate, but is not suitable for every matter. Court proceedings may be required for urgent protection, unresolved factual disputes, enforcement or binding relief. We do not pressure survivors into joint mediation — see mediation for suitability and safety screening.
Preparing for a Consultation
Documents to Consider Bringing
Collect only what is necessary and use our secure process for sensitive documents.
Confidentiality
Confidential and Dignified Handling
Family matters can involve financial, health, identity and children's information. We do not publish client stories, images or court details without informed authority, and our intake process excludes narratives, names, case numbers and uploaded filenames from analytics.
Why Sarah Alison Attorneys
Calm Advice for Important
Personal Decisions
Private, Respectful Consultation
A confidential setting for sensitive personal and family matters.
Plain-Language Explanation
Clear options and process guidance without unnecessary jargon.
Child-Centred, Evidence-Based Planning
Proportionate negotiation or litigation strategy built on the facts.
Sandton and Umhlanga Access
Careful handling of sensitive records from either office.
Our Offices
Family Law Support in
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
Family Law Serving Durban and KZN
Confidential family-law consultations for KwaZulu-Natal clients from our Umhlanga office.
Family Law in Durban/KZN
Family Law in Sandton
Confidential family-law consultations for Johannesburg clients at our Sandton office.
Family Law in SandtonFAQ
Family Law FAQs
When should I consult a family lawyer?
Before signing, moving, withholding contact, changing support, responding to papers or taking a step that affects rights.
Can family matters settle without court?
Often, where safe and suitable; some require court confirmation or litigation.
What does “best interests of the child” mean?
A fact-specific assessment under the Children's Act, not a preference for one parent by default.
Can one attorney represent both spouses?
Not automatically; conflicts and informed scope must be assessed first.
How long does a family-law matter take?
No universal duration; agreement, court availability, disclosure, investigations and urgency affect timing.
Are family-law matters private?
Sensitive information is handled confidentially, subject to legal and court obligations.
Which office should I contact?
Sandton or Umhlanga; the appropriate court depends on jurisdiction and the matter.
What if someone is in immediate danger?
Contact SAPS/emergency support and use official protection-order resources; do not wait for a website response.
Get in Touch
Request a Confidential Family-Law Consultation
Tell us your safe contact method, matter type and preferred office. We must confirm conflicts, scope and engagement before advice begins. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not an emergency service.