Divorce Attorney in South Carolina

This can be achieved after filing the necessary court documents and then having a judge issue a decree. Once you are married, only a judge can declare you otherwise. Most of the time, you must be separated for a full year before this can be granted. If, however, you can prove adultery, habitual drug or alcohol use, or physical abuse, then you can obtain one sooner. A lawyer is best able to advise you on your options and course of action.

There are two main types in South Carolina:

• At-fault type occurs when one party is responsible for the breakup of the marriage because of adultery, habitual drunkenness, or physical abuse. These can take as little as 3 months.
• No-fault type takes at least a year because the law requires the parties to be separated a full year before one is granted.

• The cost will range widely. With a few assets such as a house, cars, bank accounts, and kids, the cost can be between $5,000 and $10,000. If the parents disagree on how to divide each and every asset or disagree over custody, the price can increase substantially.
• For those involving substantial assets, the cost can be much higher. Proving fault, finding hidden assets, and fighting for a larger share of the pie will cost more in legal fees, but the fight is worth it if there is a large financial upside. Forensic accountants, guardian ad litems, mediators and others are often involved when there are high net worth individuals involved. It is not uncommon for the costs to exceed $100,000 when there are large assets involved.

This can be a million-dollar question (or more), and determining it can be tricky. Many companies are the property of a couple who marries, then buys a firm with joint income, and works on it together, then it’s clearly a marital asset. If any of those facts change, however, then the answer changes. Additional facts might also affect the answer. There is the possibility that it’s not a zero sum game. Only a lawyer can help determine what is marital and not, so if you find yourself asking this question, you need to find a highly qualified divorce and business law firm to help.

• As with most things, who retains custody depends on the facts and circumstances of each situation. Often one parent will be awarded full custody and the other will receive visitation. There are some instances, however, when joint custody is appropriate. It all comes down to the best interest of the child.
• Most of the time, the one who cares for the kids most will have custody and the other will have a visitation schedule. Figuring out who that is can be difficult. Mom might talk to the teachers and take the kids to doctor’s appointments. Dad, however, might coach baseball and know about the school bully. In these instances, when both parents play different but vital roles in the lives of their offspring, determining which to choose is tough.