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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
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.
It's been about 4 months since the papers were signed can I just take them to the court house or do I need to refile altogether
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answered on Sep 6, 2022
Were they already filed? If not, you can file anytime. If they have been filed, you can still file your response so long as the other side has not already filed a default judgment against you.
I did not want my divorce. My ex promised if I would not file for my rightful half of marital property that when my (alone) adult daughter's moved out due to divorce ( because we had problems getting them out on their own ) then he and I would reunite because he loved me but he needed to get... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
There are very few ways to challenge a final order once it has been entered. SCRCP Rule 59 allows a party to seek to alter or amend a judgment, but it has to be filed within 10 days of notice of entry of the judgment; it would not help you if the order was entered in 2011. SCRCP Rule 60 allows a... View More
My ex doesn't want to pay alimony, do I automatically get it when I file the final divorce proceedings or do I have to show again that I need it.
answered on Aug 25, 2022
If you already have an order entitling you to alimony, absent some specific language in an agreement/court order, then seeking a divorce should not change your entitlement to alimony. You should consult an experienced family court attorney who can review your documents and provide you more specific... View More
I did my part, he did not. Since still married its hurtingt me. I also wasn't able to get child tax credit nor will I anymore due to the fact my soon to be ex husband did not sign so therefore we didn't file our taxes. Court ordered by family law Judge we file jointly. I did my part. He... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
If your court order requires the two of you to file jointly, then you could seek to have your ex held in contempt for violating the order. The mechanism to do so is called a Petition for Rule to Show Cause. The procedure is laid out in Family Court Rule 14.
I had family law attorney. My ex said I committed adultery which is false. His attorney said I was barred from spousal and alimony. Yet going on almost a year now no proof shown. My ex didn't do nothing in discovery for mediation. The attorney I had gave him more time to get in. My ex and his... View More
answered on Aug 25, 2022
Each party has an obligation to respond to discovery under the Rules of Civil Procedure. When one party fails to do so, then the Family Court has to be made aware of the failure (by way of a motion), and then the Court can order the non-compliant party to provide the discovery and issue sanctions... View More
Those papers by registered return receipt thru the regular mail. I had to sign for them.
My question is did she serve those papers properly? Thanks
answered on Aug 25, 2022
Certified mail with return receipt *is* one way to personally serve a Defendant. However, it's impossible to know the rules for service were followed without looking at the documents themselves.
shared legal custody and I have sole physical custody.
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.
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).
4 heirs to a property but due to the divorce just prior to death and time since death, probating the property is not a simple process. The divorce decree stated that the property was to be conveyed to the children and all documents to do so be signed immediately. This did not happen. Now the... View More
answered on Aug 3, 2022
S.C. Code Ann. Section 20-3-660(A) allows the Clerk of Court to sign documents on behalf of the parties, and I believe you can ask the Court to direct the Clerk to do so by bringing a motion under Rule 70, SCRCP.
I retired 2 years ago from a career I had for 36 years ,I used the proceeds that I earned prior to the marriage to purchase a home and have used proceeds prior to marriage to make home improvements , she hasn't worked in 2 years ,although she is capable. I receive a considerable pension along... View More
answered on Aug 3, 2022
The question that a Family Court judge will need to answer is whether the home you purchased before marriage has been "transmuted" to marital property. The analysis on that issue is very fact-intensive. If your pension was accrued before the marriage, then she may not be entitled to any... View More
I live with my girlfriend we have a son together and she has a daughter which I never adopted I am the only one that works in the household my question is would I have to pay alimony if we split I'm ok with child support also would she be able to take him out of state I have also decided I... View More
answered on Aug 26, 2021
Alimony is only awarded in cases for divorce; if you are not legally married, then you would not have a divorce case.
Divorce final 7/15/2020, he closed on home 6/2020. Do I have legal rights to it since it was closed on prior to the divorce being finalized?
answered on May 7, 2021
In the order granting you a divorce, the Family Court likely also addressed the division of assets and debts. In very limited circumstances there is a possibility of addressing assets that were not disclosed before the divorce was granted.
He has been gone for six months but he has agreed to continue to pay the mortgage and our car payments. I suspect infidelity but I don't have proof. What will be the right approach for me in this matter
answered on May 7, 2021
The right approach will depend a lot on what your goals are. Because the two of you are living separately from each other now, you could file an action for separate support and maintenance with the Family Court, regardless of whether you have proof of adultery. A lawyer experienced with divorces... View More
has had a girlfriend for over a year now. He takes our daughter around her. they talk bad about me in front of her. The girlfriend threatens to hurt me.. She sends me text and calls me. She has been in my personal information through the unemployment office where she currently works. She tells... View More
answered on May 7, 2021
In South Carolina, there is no divorce ground of abandonment; however, there is a ground called "desertion" that is not commonly used anymore. The most common ground for divorce is living separate and apart for more than one year, and the spouses must be separated before the one year can begin.
answered on May 4, 2021
The default rule is that an assets value should be determined as of date of filing of a case. That being said, there are exceptions and your should consult with an attorney in your area on this subject.
What are the risks ? Can I ask for child support and alimony? There’s a new girlfriend in the picture who he’s planning to marry in the future since she’s a citizen. We have a business and properties together. If I can’t file for divorce what options do I have? Thank you!
answered on Apr 12, 2021
The fact that you are undocumented should have no bearing on your ability to get divorced. The fact that your marriage is common law might have some bearing on your ability to get a divorce, but that is a question for an attorney with family law experience in your state.
Married less than 1 year when deportation occurred.
answered on Mar 25, 2021
While you were married for a short period of time, I do not believe that annulment is an option. File for an absolute divorce. I do not think this will be an issue in light of the circumstances. You do need to speak to a SC family law attorney, since serving your former spose could be an issue. Was... View More
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