Separation and Divorce
in South Carolina,

I am a divorce lawyer. More broadly, though, I am a family law practitioner. child support, alimony, property division, and any domestic relations issues.

Q#1. Must I have a lawyer to get a divorce?
Q#2. What are the grounds for divorce?
Q#3. Can my spouse and I use the same lawyer?

When you first contact our office, you will be instructed to read this book...

Our clients are better than anyone else's clients. This does not mean that our clients are perfect.

The laws and public policy of South Carolina favor marriage and discourage divorce. We concur in that policy.

The theory is parties who cannot live together can resolve their problems to their mutual satisfaction helped by a mediator or arbitrator.

Why go? Professional counselors may accomplish many desirable results, but have a firm understanding with your counselor regarding confidentiality.

If you need to add more text here, this should work: Today, the answer to who gets the children is more complicated and less certain.

Separation and divorce is difficult for you and your spouse. It may be even more difficult for your children, sometimes called "the innocent victims of divorce."

Many separated couples get along better after the separation. Others continue to fight. People who could not live together will have some problems...

A separation agreement can serve many useful purposes. It defines the rights and obligations of the parties.

A common misconception is a person separated from his or her spouse may date or go out with members of the opposite sex.

Show me a couple with marital problems and I'll show you a couple with financial problems. Despite exceptions, this is frequently true.

Who pays the debts? The family courts no long divide property according to title. They use the principle of equitable apportionment.

In 1984, South Carolina adopted its "Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.”

Often a party cannot wait until a final hearing for relief. In such cases, a temporary hearing determines the rights and obligations of the parties pending the final hearing.

Most often, judges hold a pre-trial conference or status conference, ahead of a final hearing.

Avoid flashy clothes and colors. Appear neat and clean. Wear little or no jewelry

the case against me? Properly used discovery makes trial preparation easier, reduces costs, and improves the quality of justice.

make his decision? We will prove your case in court by the testimony of the witnesses and with physical evidence or documents.

If you really want to scare your lawyer, hand him or her an audio tape and say, “Listen to this.” He or she may evict you from the office before you can say, “Just kidding.”

Ben Franklin said, “If my enemy would only write a letter.” Today, he would say, “If my enemy would only post on social media.”

that I should have the children? The object in litigating custody is to prove that awarding custody to you will serve the best interests of the children.

In theory, considering the needs of the children and the ability of each parent to meet those needs determines child support.

Until November 29, 1990, the rule was that an adulterous spouse does not receive alimony, even if the adultery occurred after the separation.

Legal title makes little difference in the division of real estate or personal property that the parties acquired during their marriage.

Domestic relations cases are difficult for the lawyer just as they are difficult for the client. The lawyer must expend considerable time and considerable energy for which he must be paid.

it was my spouse’s fault? This chapter, probably more than any other, deals with general statements of law.

As a practical matter, the court will not hold the final hearing where a fault ground is alleged until ninety days after the summons was filed because the decree of divorce cannot be final until ninety days after filing.

Every good lawyer I know, and also some bad ones, has more work than he or she can handle.

Discussing my fees and requiring payment from clients is the part of practicing law I least enjoy.

You are starting a new life. Plan that life to avoid past mistakes.

If you hire me to work for you, then you are the employer and I am the employee within the terms of our retainer fee agreement.

Before I started school, my mother read Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris to me. At bedtime I always begged for one more story

Our standard retainer fee agreement. Accurate estimates of fees are nearly impossible because of many factors over which we have no control.

How to save your client from those expensive, unnecessary officious intermeddlers. By Robert Rosen

Information and tips for your deposition, but also eventually for your trial testimony.

Definitions of commonly used words and terms to help you better understand the language of your case.