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South Carolina Child Custody Questions & Answers
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
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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, 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 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, 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

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: Should a father file for divorce or child abandonment first. Mother abandoned children and spouse 10 years ago.

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.

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: In child custody when a court order is needed can I file papers to refute such an order based on the children’s needs?

This involves the custodial parent moving more than 15 miles from a present location which would encumber all the details of the custodial agreement.

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for South Carolina on
Q: What can I do?

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: How to ask judge to make defendant fill out "financial verification (SCCA 430)" form and let me have the info?

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

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: I'm in SC, baby was born in Florida and lives with mother in NC. Where do I go to court to get shared custody?
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Aug 25, 2022

Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, which each state has a version of, only the "home state" of the child has jurisdiction to decide custody of the child.

If the child has never lived in SC, then SC does not have jurisdiction to decide custody....
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: Can autism cause extenuating circumstances in a child custody cause ? If child is getting diagnosis during the case?

My two year old is being diagnosed with autism and speech delay. The biological father has been in and out of her life since birth and now has been no contact with the child in question since march and it's now almost September... By the time the next court hearing happens it will be close to... View More

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Aug 25, 2022

S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-15-240(B) requires the Family Court to consider the best interests of the child when determining custody, including the temperamental and developmental needs of a child, the capacity and disposition of the parents to understand and meet the needs of the child, and the past... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: can both parents agree outside court I have sole physical custody and sole discretion of visitation?

shared legal custody and I have sole physical custody.

Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Aug 3, 2022

Parents can agree on anything they want with regard to their children. However, if the agreement is not part of a court order, then neither party can really enforce the agreement if the other parent chooses not to follow it.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: In the state of south Carolina if my baby daddy gives up his parental rights will he still have to pay child support?
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Aug 3, 2022

When parental rights are terminated, then the obligation to support the child is also terminated; however, if the parent has past due child support, then those arrears continue to be owed (unless there's a Court order otherwise).

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: My ex wife has full custody. She said "Don't touch my kids" because I spanked our son. Can I legally discipline kids?
Megan Hunt Dell
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Megan Hunt Dell
answered on Jul 6, 2022

Based on S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-7-20(4)(a), generally, corporal punishment is allowed in South Carolina as long as it is administered by a parent or person in loco parentis; is perpetrated for the sole purpose of restraining or correcting the child; is reasonable in manner and moderate in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for South Carolina on
Q: When do temporary orders go into effect with family court? From the date of the hearing or once the order is signed?
Zach S. Naert
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Zach S. Naert
answered on Jun 29, 2023

Generally in order for the Temporary Order to be enforceable, it must be signed by the Judge and filed with the Clerk of Court.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for South Carolina on
Q: I signed a kinship care agreement with my mother for my daughter to reside with her. Can she legally take my

Daughter out of state without DSS or my permission

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

There is no enough detail in your question to provide a specific response. Each agreement in Family Court is unique and without reviewing the specific language of yours, it is not possible to determine anyone's rights. Your best course of action is to consult with a lawyer who is experienced... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for South Carolina on
Q: I have sole custody of my daughter but have relocated to another country

My ex is trying to say I abducted my daughter and spreading it all over social media.

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

It's not clear what your question is. If you have a prior Order addressing custody of your child, then it likely also addresses whether you have the right to relocate your child to another country. It may also prohibit each parent from disparaging the other in certain situations.

The...
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