Family structures have changed dramatically in the last several decades. Now, households are managed by single parents or same-sex couples and include blended families who may have siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings, and/or adopted children. While same-sex marriage was only recently legalized at the federal level, the truth is that LGBTQ couples face many of the same [...]
We know going through separation or divorce can be hard. Trying to split one household into two while creating an equitable distribution of assets, it can be tough to manage the emotional strain of dissolving a relationship. If you and your partner share children everything gets exponentially harder. When parents separate, they must consider issues [...]
The topic of college expenses has been a hot one in the South Carolina Family Courts over the past decade. The short answer is yes, you can be required to contribute to college expenses, BUT this issue is at the sole discretion of the Family Court judge and they will ultimately decide whether or not [...]
There is no denying the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Lockdowns have left many adults either out of work or forced to work at home. With children learning remotely, both working and non-working parents have had to change their routines to watch children and help with schooling during the day. For separated or divorced parents, the [...]
In South Carolina, family courts operate under the presumption that it is in a child’s best interests to remain in the custody of their natural parents unless it can be proven otherwise. That said, there might be cases in which a non-parent can seek legal custody of a child, especially if the child’s natural parents [...]
CHARLESTON, SC – (04/5/2021) Over lunch, media executives LaDonna Andrews of Kirkman Broadcasting and Vanessa Gongora of Norsan Media discussed the strong intersection of social issues that affect both Black and Brown communities disproportionately in the Lowcountry. Both women decided there was more they could do to support the local nonprofits that serve their communities [...]
What is a QDRO? QDRO stands for “Qualified Domestic Relations Order” and it is the Order that is used to divide certain retirement accounts. When do I need a QDRO? Not all retirement accounts require a QDRO for division. For instance, IRA accounts can be divided without a QDRO while 401(k) accounts require a QDRO [...]
Family law cases—which include issues like separation, divorce, child custody and visitation, and asset division —can be complicated to say the least. Not only are the parties likely dealing with immense emotional strain, but the logistics of separating a family can quickly become contentious. For many reasons, South Carolina requires mandatory mediation prior to scheduling [...]
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is a government agency with many functions under state law. The agency’s role in family law cases primarily encompasses two main parts: abuse and neglect, and child support. Whether you have been accused of neglect or abuse or you suspect that your child is suffering at the hands [...]
In general family law pertains to legal issues that focus on families, including spouses, parents, and children. According to the South Carolina Bar, family law specifically relates to a number of common concerns, which can include: Marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships; and, Divorce; and, Alimony; and, Child custody; and, Child support matters. While some [...]
