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South Carolina Divorce Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: How can I assure my ex pays me the $15,000 he promised to pay after sale of house?

The divorce decree states my ex must pay me $15,000 from sale of property. However, it does not specify when he has to pay this money following the sale of the house. The property just sold and I'm being asked to sign away ownership. How do I assure he pays?

Dan Deeds Kienker
Dan Deeds Kienker
answered on Oct 11, 2020

To provide a thorough answer I would have to review the Divorce Decree and Court Order approving the Agreement between you and your ex-Husband. Most Agreements as part of the dissolution of a marriage will specify exact date(s) when some event must occur. For example, in a case involving minor... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: Same sex marriage, but had a baby during separation. Do I have to establish she is not the parent due to S.C. law?

Separated from my wife for almost 3 years and have since had a baby with my boyfriend. I was hoping to file for quitclaim deed to remove her from house and no fault divorce, but she is unresponsive. Attorney advised I would have to bring my baby and boyfriend into the situation and establish... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 5, 2020

Your situation will become complicated because of your child so i would recommend contacting an attorney in your area to help you through this process.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: Am I able to sell my house (prior to divorce being finalized) if it was given to me in the separation agreement?

SC Residency

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Jul 16, 2020

If a final order of separate support and maintenance has been approved by the Family Court giving you ownership of a marital home then you are fine selling the home. I would recommend consulting with your family court attorney or a real estate attorney in your area in you have any further questions.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: Married in Florida but now living in South Carolina, which state would my spouse and I file for divorce?
Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on May 20, 2020

State law provides time requirements on residency before you can file an action for divorce in a SC courts. See SECTION 20-3-30. Residence requirement.

In order to institute an action for divorce from the bonds of matrimony the plaintiff must have resided in this State at least one year...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for South Carolina on
Q: DSS removed my child due to a positive drug screen that is not accurate due to a medication I'm prescribed

I'm prescribed Adderall and have been in a treatment program for many years during which all my drug screens have always came back clean. I have documentation of this as well. They have put my child in my soon to be ex's care who will not allow me to see her. The same situation happened... View More

Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
answered on May 4, 2020

What you haven't mentioned is if you've provided a statement from your doctor confirming that you are prescribed for Adderall.

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: Ex filed ch. 7. Can I file a motion to have property settlement money owed me and alimony exempted from discharged debt
Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 10, 2020

You don’t even have to file a motion. All those things are already exempt from discharge under the Code!!!

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I'm mentally ill and can't support myself financially but need to live separately to get a divorce, what do i do?

I'm a woman and i'm basically very anxious and struggle with borderline personality disorder, eating disorder, panic disorder. my mental and physical issues make it impossible for me to keep a normal job, i have no family here or friends so i have no place to stay but we both want to get... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Dec 4, 2019

In South Carolina in order to get a divorce you must allege a fault ground or a no fault ground. No Fault is living separate and apart for one year. Fault based grounds are adultery, physical abuse, habitual drunkenness or drug abuse, or abandonment. If none of the Fault based grounds apply to you,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I am separated from my wife due to her wanting out of the marriage. What rights does she have to take kids when she says

She was starting a relationship outside the marriage and after an arguement she left and has been staying at her Dad's house. We tried to work things out between us and it didnt work. Now she tells me she wants nothing do do with me and that she wants to get her kids when she wants and that I... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 31, 2019

I would recommend contacting a local attorney so that you can get a family court order in place laying out the rights between you. The sooner that you do this they smoother the process will go because until there is a family court order in place she still can come to the house and has full rights... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: My husband and I are separated and he still keeps coming into my apartment. Can I stop this?
Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 29, 2019

If there is an order in place to live separate and apart you certainly have the right to go back to the family court on a rule to show cause. if you do not have an order in place that is going to be the best process for keeping him out of the apartment. Contact a local family court attorney where... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: My ex is slow mailing the papers back! He does not care that they are time sensitive! What do I do?

I filed for divorce in June. The plan was to serve my ex via publication. However, mysteriously out of the blue his "fiance" contacted me, offering to file for the divorce and pay for it. I already filed. She insisted the papers be served to my husband via email instead of publication,... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 9, 2019

It sounds like you have an attorney so he/she is going to be the best person to advise you on your steps going forward. Your attorney knows all the facts of your case.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: How long do I have to report someone giving alcohol, vapes, and marijuana to minors? They made drug deals at a school.

Marijuana was purchased from a middle schooler by an adult at a middle school. It is my understanding that a 1 year old was in the car during the drug deal on school property. The marijuana was brought to the adult's home and smoked with a middle schooler, and the 1 year old was in the home... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 9, 2019

There is no statute of limitations in SC on the distribution/purchase of illegal drugs so there is not a set amount of time to report. That being said, unless the drugs are still in existence this is a case that would be very hard to prosecute.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: Does my ex have legal rights to repossess a car we are both on the loan for?

He is on the car loan as primary and I am the cosigner. He has his own car and I drive and make payments on this vehicle. The insurance is also in both of our names. We lived together for 12 years. He keeps trying to repossess the car and hold it over my head to force me to sign mediation paperwork... View More

Ryan D Templeton
Ryan D Templeton
answered on Oct 9, 2019

If you are married you need to file a matter in family court to deal with all of the custody and property issues between you. That being said, absent a court order if both of your names are on the title to the car you have equal rights to drive the vehicle.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: husband left no paperworks filed can he force me to leave home to rent or sell it ,my name is not on the place.
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
answered on Sep 16, 2019

No, you both have a right to be in the marital home unless and until the family court grants to the home to one of you in a court hearing.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Immigration Law for South Carolina on
Q: I am divorcing my wife, who's here on a K1 visa. If she leaves the U.S., how will she attend the final divorce hearing?

I have been married a month to my wife who I brought to the U.S on a K1 visa from Kenya. I'm seeking a divorce in SC where we were married, because I've become aware of communication between her and another boyfriend she has back in Kenya. She plans on going back to Kenya once she has... View More

Hector E. Quiroga
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Hector E. Quiroga
answered on Dec 17, 2018

This is a family law rather than an immigration law question. We recommend that you contact an attorney familiar with family law.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Immigration Law for South Carolina on
Q: If I divorce my wife and she then leaves the country to live in Kenya, how can I get my divorce finalized?

Hi, I am divorcing my wife after being married 30 days. She is from Kenya and entered the US on a K-1 visa. If she leaves the US, she will not be able to re-enter. My question is, which type of divorce (fault or non-fault) would be best in this scenario, where she will not be able to appear at a... View More

Allen C. Ladd
Allen C. Ladd
answered on Jan 4, 2019

It's a question for a family lawyer. I believe a family lawyer can advise you how you can resolve this issue. PLEASE don't try to handle this by yourself , or your fears may be justified.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: Married less than two years, husband wants out of it, what grounds does he have?

Small amount of property, house is in his name, cars are too. I do not want a divorce, how do I protect myself

John W. Molony
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John W. Molony pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 7, 2018

In South Carolina, there are five grounds for divorce. Four of these are fault based grounds: 1) Deserstion for more than one year; 2) Adultery; 3) Physical Cruelty; 4) Habitual Drunkenness. A fault based divorce will require one spouse to allege & prove the relevant marital fault of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: My ex is the custodial parent, I’m suffering hardships; loss of job, He equates visitation by support payments, can he?

Even phone calls hes denied, whilst married I stayed at home and homeschooled, this is extremely abusive and immoral in my opinion.

Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
answered on Nov 26, 2018

Support and visitation are separate issues. If he is violating a provision of a court order, you can file a rule to show cause to compel compliance with the order.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: I have been married in South Carolina have 2 children 8 and 6. I want to leave my husband

Would it be considered abandonment If i leave without my children due to not knowing if i have a place to live and can he prevent me from taking them. Not leaving state just moving out of the marital house and filing

Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
answered on Sep 28, 2018

Under South Carolina law, if you move out of the marital home and leave your children with your husband you increase the chance that he will be awarded temporary custody of the children if he files for divorce or separate support and maintenance. It's best to plan your move, get a place to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: I got married Feb.01,2017 only to find out that he was still married to another woman. I need to know what I need to do?
T. J. Jesky
T. J. Jesky
answered on Sep 24, 2018

Before we proceed, there are a few exceptions that would prevent this from being bigamy.

1) When he married you was his absent for 7 years, e.g. at sea, continually absent where he did not know his wife was living within that time;

(2) He or she was married before the age of...
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