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I had my son when his father and I were split up. His father is not on the birth certificate. Our son is 3 months old and we are now back together. We’ve been back together in a relationship since our son was 2 weeks old. His father and I do not live together. I work and his father helps... View More 
answered on Jan 30, 2023
Medicaid is funded by the federal government. For any South Carolina resident to receive those funds, federal law requires the person to seek child support from the other parent. However, the process for establishing child support through DSS is very cooperative, and you may be able to agree to him... View More
We bought a house in South Carolina no mortgage but she’s the only one on the title. I am not. She’s trying to force me to move back to Massachusetts because we are having problems with her daughter. She saying she does not wanna divorce, but wants me to move back to Massachusetts. I’m... View More
answered on Jan 30, 2023
It is unclear how long you and your wife have lived in South Carolina, and that is an important fact for determining whether the Family Court would have authority to address any issues in a divorce between you and your wife. Assuming you have both lived here for at least 3 months, then the... View More
I have a 6month old who has many medical issues due to birth problems, with my ex boyfriend who moved from HOME (Pennsylvania) to South Carolina during my pregnancy.he is listed on her birth certificate. He has only seen my child 2 times since she was born. I am in the process of going for child... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2022
It sounds like you have sought child support through DSS's administrative process. Generally, if there is not an agreement on support during the conference, then a judge will establish support. If you have copies of any of his paystubs, you can look at his "year-to-date" gross income... View More
By harassing me i mean he smokes it obnoxiously in my face and continues to follow me around with it. I feel like he is trying to sabotage my health and career, and I feel unsafe around him. We are divorcing. The house is mine. He is forcing me out. He pays nothing on the house and is now trying to... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2022
There are not enough details here to provide you with specific information about your rights. The best course of action is to consult with an experienced South Carolina divorce lawyer.
I live in SC. I filed for a divorce--super easy nothing to split and joint custody, no disputes. Defendant also wants a divorce, been apart for over 4 years. However, he did not turn in the required paperwork and has not responded if he will attend the hearing. Will this be a problem if he does not... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2022
Under Family Court Rule 17, the judge can hold the Defendant in default and grant the relief requested by the Plaintiff, even if the Defendant does not appear at the hearing; provided, the Defendant must have been given proper notice of the hearing (which, for a final hearing, means the notice has... View More
I want to sign over rights to child as I do not believe to be this child's father. Would I still have to pay child support if I relinquish rights to this child, if it ends up being mine? I truly believe it's not mine due to nature of the individual and timing or information given. She has... View More
answered on Nov 28, 2022
In South Carolina, the Family Court will typically not allow you to voluntarily relinquish your rights to allow you to avoid paying child support.
The child's mother could go through the Department of Social Services administrative process to establish paternity and child support. If... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
Family Court judges have the authority to hold someone in either civil contempt or criminal contempt. Whether a finding of contempt is civil or criminal depends on whether the person who violated the order is able to "purge" themselves of the punishment by becoming compliant with the... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
First, it will depend on whether there is an order giving you custody of your child. Unless/until you have such an order, you are likely to continue to be obligated to pay child support as previously established.
If there is already an order giving you custody of your child, then you can go... View More
My ex was abusive towards me, and im scared it would lead to them in the future. Hes been inconsistent with them, this is the 3rd time he vanished on them for months and randomly popped back up. Abandoned us to be evicted from 2 houses now, i didnt have a vehicle and he took my carseats so we were... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
The administrative process for establishing child support that is available through the Department of Social Services does *not* include any ability to establish custody/visitation. However, it is common that when one parent tries to use that process to get support, then the other parent will file... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
Whether to award retroactive child support is within the Family Court's discretion; however, the law is clear that the Court can *only* award retroactive support back to the date the action was filed.
I'm anticipating an unpleasant custody dispute in near future and I'm trying to prepare. My former partner receives a significant amount of childcare support from her mother. However, her mother had never received a driver's license. She also lives with her long-time boyfriend who is... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
Choosing inappropriate caregivers is something the Family Court may consider when deciding custody. Allowing the grandmother who does not have a drivers license to drive the child demonstrates poor judgment. The immigration status of people living with the grandmother is likely to have little, if... View More
Those in common law marriages before the 2019 decision can still be considered as being married?
answered on Nov 11, 2022
Yes, the Stone v. Thompson decision prevented creation of new common law marriages after it was decided (on July 24, 2019), but if a common law marriage was established before that date, its existence can be proven by clear and convincing evidence.
She is using her biological father last name and His name was written on her Birth.I am not married with his father and He is in other country.How can I terminate his parental right when He never give child support.
I am married for 4years and My Husband want to adopt my daughter,Do we... View More
answered on Nov 11, 2022
First, you should understand that allowing your husband to adopt your daughter and changing her names are separate requests for relief.
Adoptions require very strict compliance with notice and service requirements to be valid. To determine whether you will need to give notice to your... View More
Mother left spouse and children in 2012. She has not been in contact with, sent money or anything in those 10 years. I want to make sure I protect my children. I just don't know if I should file for divorce first or if i should file for the abandonment of the children first.
answered on Nov 11, 2022
In South Carolina, Rule 18, SCRCP, requires that all claims that *can* be brought at the same time *must* be brought at the same time. The South Carolina Family Court is unlikely to grant a divorce until issues related to your children are resolved. Chances are, filing for divorce and custody at... View More
I was married in NYC, but lived in SC for almost a year. He refuses to sign papers.
answered on Nov 11, 2022
In South Carolina, you do not need your spouse's signature to file for divorce. However, if your spouse does not live in South Carolina, it may be more appropriate to file in a different state, but there are not enough facts here to determine the best jurisdiction.
Our 3 children are over 18 now
Can I ask the judge to modify his payment amount based on his current income of approximately 2100.00 month.
answered on Aug 25, 2022
If he has previously been held in contempt for failure to pay, then he is likely ordered to pay the arrears at a court-ordered rate. If you believe he is earning more income than before -- and that you can provide evidence of his greater income -- then you could file an action to modify the prior... View More
This involves the custodial parent moving more than 15 miles from a present location which would encumber all the details of the custodial agreement.
answered on Aug 25, 2022
I'm a little bit confused by your question, but it seems like you are asking whether a court order can be modified based on the custodial parent moving more than 15 miles from their current location because the relocation would make the terms of the agreement difficult to follow.
Court... View More
During a separation I started seeing a girl, decided that didn't work out. Over a year later she's wanting a DNA test for a child I didn't know about. She has another man on the certificate, I also want to sign my rights over if the child is mine. What can I do? What happens if her... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
It's unclear whether the mother of the child has filed an action in Family Court. If she were to do so, then the Court could order you to undergo DNA testing. Assuming you are the biological father of the child, and you want to terminate your rights, then you would need to sign a "Consent... View More
In the case the defendants will have to pay us child support but the court is going to use a statum of minimum wage as a basis. I know that they have a higher income, so would like the judge to make them fill out a financial verification form so that I could use the information as part of the... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
It sounds like you may have placement of a child as part of an action brought by the Department of Social Services.
SCRFC Rule 20 requires a financial declaration to be completed in any action in which the financial condition of a party is relevant. If you are a party to the case, you can... View More
Last year before my son and I went into dv shelter. My ex while I was in fl at my parents moved out of our home. Took all his belonging as well as mine. I still haven't got back some things court ordered for him to return. He never told me where he went. He ghosted my son and I for almost 5... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
From your question, it's unclear whether you want your ex to visit with your son. I can tell how frustrated you are about dealing with this situation. The only mechanism the Family Court has to compel people to comply with its Orders is to hold them in contempt, and the sanctions for contempt... View More
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