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South Carolina Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I need help. I am trying to restart my life. I just separated from my husband, but he does not want to help me financial

I am distraught.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 13, 2023

A South Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. I'm sorry for your difficult position. This is something that a divorce attorney would know better than an insurance defense or banking attorney (the chosen categories). In the interim, there could be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: What steps can I take towards divorce as my husband does not want to accept that I do not want to continue this marriage

I have told my husband that I do not want to continue the marriage but he does not want to accept or acknowledge my decision. I have left the home with my 2 kids as they asked to come along. And would like to find a job and apartment. My husband was emotionally abusive and did not let me work,... View More

Allan Baron
Allan Baron pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 21, 2023

You have taken a good first step; to state clearly that you do not wish to continue the marriage. You should add that you would like to conclude the marriage in an amicable way if possible. Then add, I have done my research and suggest mediating the divorce. That is, meet with an attorney who would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Military Law and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I am wanting to separate/divorce my military husband. We have 2 children together and have been married for 16 years.

I'm a SAHM

No money saved

No family near me

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 18, 2023

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time. If you are considering separating or divorcing your military husband, there are several things you should be aware of:

1. Military divorce: Military divorce can be more complex than civilian divorce, as there are specific...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law, Probate and Real Estate Law for South Carolina on
Q: Do I have any kind of legal rights to family property that I do not own if I have proof of residence for 20 plus years?

I am the person's granddaughter but what happened was the property was in my grandmother's name she had dementia back in 2018 or 19 and my uncle came and had her sign the property to him I was told all my life that I would inherit my portion of the property up until last year and then my... View More

Seth Meyerson
Seth Meyerson
answered on Jun 12, 2023

In situations like this, property ownership and rights can be complex and depend on various factors, including the specific laws of your jurisdiction and the documentation involved.

If your grandmother had dementia at the time she signed the property over to your uncle, it could potentially...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: My friend was sentenced to 30 days concurrent how soon can i get her out She is in there for child support
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jun 8, 2023

Generally, if someone is incarcerated for nonpayment of child support, they have been held in civil contempt, and they can be released once they pay the amount set by the court as the "purge payment." The County Clerk's office can tell you how much the purge payment is.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for South Carolina on
Q: If my father is my “biological” father as my parents claim why did he have to legally adopt me at 5 years old?

He wasn’t on the birth certificate when I was born, they didn’t get married until I was over a year old. Wouldn’t he just needed to do a dna test to prove paternity to get legal rights? They also changed my last name to his when they did the adoption. I feel like if he is my biological father... View More

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jun 8, 2023

First, even if he had done a DNA test and was determined to be your father, the test result (by itself) would not be enough for your birth certificate to be changed. Your parents would still have needed to file an action to have him added to the birth certificate.

It is very possible the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: How do I file a motion we're my ex wife is not doing what the judge ordered in Marital property without a attorney
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jun 8, 2023

To seek to enforce the provisions of a prior court order, you must file a Rule to Show Cause. The requirements for a Rule to Show Cause are laid out in South Carolina Family Court Rule 14.

The South Carolina Supreme Court does not provide sample forms for enforcing orders related to marital...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: does custody need to be established before child support can be set
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jun 8, 2023

There is not enough detail in your question to provide a specific answer. The first variable is whether the parents of the child(ren) are married to each other. If the parents are not married to each other, then the mother has sole custody of the child(ren) unless/until there is a court order... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: Hi! A parent in South Carolina with sole legal and physical custody have to share a change of address to the otherparent

Her father have visitation and the mother myself have sole legal physical custody and I recently moved but still in South Carolina, do I have to share my address to the other parent? I have his address due to visitations.

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on May 15, 2023

If there is a prior Order addressing each parent's rights and obligations, it probably contains a provision requiring each parent to keep the other updated of their current addresses.

If the prior Order does not contain a provision like that, a parent who is entitled to visitation with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: My husband left me 2 months ago and I would like to purchase a home. Can I purchase it without it becoming marital asset
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on May 15, 2023

In South Carolina, marital assets are those acquired between the date of marriage and the date a case is filed. To minimize the likelihood of a home you purchase after separation being considered a marital asset, you should (1) file an action in Family Court before purchase; and (2) not use marital... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law and Divorce for South Carolina on
Q: What if the petitioner was the actual person doing the abusing?

My wife has placed a order of protection on me and she is the real abuser in our home. I have all of our email and text messages that we have exchanged between us while we were fighting. She is a verbal abuser, and she is also quite possibly a Narcissist also. The judge even gave her the question... View More

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jan 30, 2023

Your best course of action is to seek the advice of a divorce lawyer who has experience dealing with abusive situations and orders of protection. However, you should note that "verbal abuse" is not a ground for divorce or basis for issuance of an order of protection in South Carolina.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: Who is the visiting parent? In final order it states the visiting parent won’t get the following weekend after a holiday
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jan 30, 2023

In your court Order, there is likely language that designates one parent as the custodian and the other parent as the visiting parent; or, the "visiting parent" is the parent who has less time with the child(ren) overall. You may need to schedule a consultation with a family court lawyer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: What should a father do if a mother runs to another state from SC with minor child?

Mother, father, and child live together in the child’s birth state. Mother has lived in that state for almost one year and the child is 6 months old, she plans to visit her home state. Father says it’s not a good idea since child has been sick. Mother goes and then calls father and says she... View More

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jan 30, 2023

Most states have enacted a version of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (referred to as the "UCCJEA"), and the typical provisions of the UCCJEA provide that an initial custody case can only be brought in the "home state" of the child; for a child who is an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for South Carolina on
Q: I had my son when his father and I were split up. His father is not on the birth certificate

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: Is there anything that can be done to get an Order, signed by a Judge in Family Court, reversed? He ruled against defend

The couple were married only 6 weeks when she had to leave. She is 23 and she was threatened by the Plaintiff with an arrest if she didn't come in and sign the Separation Papers that day. Out of fear, she did sign without reading them thereby that separation of properties, she didn't know... View More

Breanna Compitello
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Breanna Compitello pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 13, 2022

Sounds like there may have been some level of coercion in signing the document. When the documents are signed and incorporated into a court proceeding, the Judge always asks questions to rule out any coercion. If this was outside of court and just an agreement signed between the parties, then there... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for South Carolina on
Q: Ex and I are JTROS on our paid for home. Partition default judgement months ago, but delinquent tax sale does what to us

What happens with the partition during the redemption period of the delinquent tax sale?

Anthony M. Avery
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Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 6, 2022

Any Partition Action will be subject to the Tax Sale, which should have been part of the Partition Sale Order. Apparently the Partition Action is incomplete and erroneous. High tax bidder will ignore the Partition action.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I slept with a woman and had a one night stand. She is insisting I'm father. I don't agree. If so I want to sign over.

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

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
answered on Nov 22, 2022

The child’s mother can serve you with a paternity action to establish parentage and the court will order a DNA test upon you. If it’s determined that you’re the biological father, then the court will order you to pay monthly child support until the child reaches age 18. You’re decision to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I slept with a woman and had a one night stand. She is insisting I'm father. I don't agree. If so I want to sign over.

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for South Carolina on
Q: If im going for child support, is custody arrangements included in that or does the father have to take me back for that

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: If an unlicensed grandparent drives a child or lives with an undoc immigrant, could that have significance in custody?

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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

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