Page 139 - The Circle of Life

The word "entitle" leaves a bad taste in my mouth for it is often abused by

people who wants to live of grants from the Government (read tax payer) whilst
making children at an astonishing pace. I feel it is abused but anyway it does
not happen much in Africa where the dole system is almost unknown...you lose

your job here you die of hunger. Most certainly council houses and good (free)

medical care is non-existent (for what a first world country would understand it
to be).

The spouse is entitled to half the pension or retirement annuity when married in
community at divorce though this is sometimes limited to the date your divorce

order comes through. Meaning the value as it was at that time. In an accrual
dispensation marriages divorce that amount would be calculated into the formula

to work out whose estate grew the most.

You can choose to have the pension fund money paid in cash or transferred to a
new pension fund. This happens about 6 months after the divorce. Whether you

keep the cash or build your own pension fund I cannot advise you on. It depends
on your circumstances. In this regard you may also want take a life insurance

policy on your ex-spouse with you as beneficiary but please understand this does
not mean to wish him dead or arrange for his death. It is simply good financial

practise. It happens mostly where he has nothing for you to attach.

Always change your will and testament and policy beneficiaries (if allowed in the

settlement) after divorce. You would not believe how many times people forget

this and upon death one hell of a fight breaks out because of it.

Children

There is no doubt that children play a major part in divorces and sometimes
causes it too - especially in second marriages. I find that most parents will go

beyond the ridiculous to "protect the children" and it is a good thing in theory.
Just take care that you do not deny the other side his rights as a parent in the

process.

Up to the 1990's unmarried fathers had no rights whatsoever to the child but
this changed where he has the same rights as a married (now divorced) father. I

don't think anyone can deny that this is the best for all involved. The problem or

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