It is not uncommon these days to find parents bringing up children alone as a result of divorce or simply because the parent has no partner to speak of. But it is important to understand what rights you as a single parent have and how you should exercise them.

What Constitutes a Single Parent?
A single parent is a parent who lives alone with their children and is responsible for their day-to-day upbringing and wellbeing. As such, they are entitled to help and assistance from the local authority, if required, as well as financial assistance from the other parent.

Helping with Expenses
If a mother lives alone with her children, then the father of these children is responsible, in the eyes of the law, for contributing to their clothing, footwear and educational expenses. He may choose to come to an understanding with his partner to pay a regular amount for the upkeep of the children without having to resort to legal proceedings.

A father may deem it appropriate to ensure that his children are also living in a home that is – in his own estimation – fit for them and may contribute to the paying of a mortgage and/or rent.

Such agreements are best made without the influence of courts or government agencies, but it is wise to seek some written agreement in addition to a verbal in case a dispute leads to court proceedings being filed.

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