CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

Can one apply for maintenance pending divorce in Zimbabwe?

The simple answer is yes. Both the High Court Rules and the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13] among other things, provide for maintenance pending a decree of divorce in Zimbabwe. This is also known as maintenance pendete lite.

CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

Did you know you can apply for maintenance pending your divorce in Zimbabwe?

A spouse (whether a male or a female) whose divorce is pending, is of right entitled in terms of section 2(1)(b) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13] as read with Rule 67(1) of the High Court Rules, 2021, among other things, to maintenance pendete lite (maintenance pending divorce), until a decree of divorce is granted.

CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

Recognition of foreign divorce orders in Zimbabwe

More often than not, nowadays, a lot of married couples are relocating to different parts of the world.

CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

Is it permissible in Zimbabwe for my spouse to dispose of ‘our’ property without my consent?

The position of the law in Zimbabwe is that neither a husband nor a wife can stop the other from disposing of the matrimonial home or any other immovable property, which is registered in their sole name, but forming the joint matrimonial estate.

CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

Spousal contributions to divorce legal costs in Zimbabwe

The law permits a spouse to make an application to the courts for a contribution toward divorce costs. The purpose of the contribution towards costs is to enable a spouse who would otherwise not be able to do so to be in a position where they can be adequately place their matrimonial action before the court.

CHILD & FAMILY LAW.

I don’t have money to pay divorce legal fees, can my spouse contribute towards these costs in Zimbabwe?

In terms of the law in Zimbabwe married couples have a duty to support each other. This duty includes contributing towards legal costs to institute or defend an action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage.