FAQ
Divorce FAQ
Is divorce easy?
The divorce process can be complicated or simple, based in large part on how you and your spouse interact. The more the two of you can agree upon, the easier (and less costly) it will be.
Does the Court have or need to be involved at all?
Yes. The Court will have to either determine the issues, or, if all issues are agreed upon, the Court will need to approve the final result. More importantly, only the Court (not the legislature or the mayor or governor) has the authority to grant you a divorce and thereby free each party to marry again.
What grounds do I need for a divorce?
There are 4 fault grounds – Adultery, Physical Cruelty, Habitual Drunkenness or Drug Use, and Desertion (rarely used). There is also the no-fault ground based on a one year continuous separation.
Do I need to prove “fault”?
No. You may seek and obtain a “no-fault” divorce in South Carolina.
Can I get divorced in South Carolina, or will I have to file elsewhere?
In general, both parties to a divorce must have been residents of South Carolina for a period of three (3) months prior to commencement of a divorce action.
If the defendant is not a resident of South Carolina, the plaintiff must be a resident of South Carolina for one (1) year prior to commencement of a divorce action. If the plaintiff is a non-resident, the defendant must be a resident for one (1) year prior to commencement.
Please note these rules apply only to divorce. Jurisdiction may rest with another state for purposes of division of property or determining custody and support of children. Consult a Charleston divorce attorney for clarification.
What are the grounds for divorce in South Carolina?
A divorce may be granted either on a “no-fault” or “fault” basis.
A no-fault divorce requires that the parties live separate and apart, without resumption of cohabitation, for a period of one (1) year. Sleeping in different beds is insufficient.
A fault divorce may be granted upon proof of any of the following: 1) adultery; 2) physical cruelty; 3) habitual drunkenness and drug abuse; and, 4) desertion (please note that desertion has essentially been discarded as a fault basis in South Carolina).
Each of these grounds for divorce has specific proof requirements associated with them. Please consult a Florence SC divorce attorney for further information.
What is a legal separation?
There is, technically, no such thing as a “legal separation” in South Carolina.
In a practical sense, however, there are some options available to parties who wish to live separate and apart, free from marital obligations, either pending divorce or for longer periods of time. Generally, parties may reach an agreement to live separate and apart, without interference from the other, as part of a comprehensive “Separation Agreement.” Or, if parties are unable to reach agreement, they may apply for an order of “separate support and maintenance” from the Family Court, asking a judge to establish each party’s rights and responsibilities prior to entry of divorce.
Should I leave the house?
A common misconception is that “abandoning” the house means that you forfeit legal interest in the property. Commonly, this misconception is used by one party as a threat in order to keep them in the home, and by extension, the marriage. It is false — leaving your home will not cause you to lose your interest in that home.
There are many things to consider in deciding whether to move out of the marital home:
If you are being physically abused or threatened, relocation is almost always advisable. If your children are being exposed to intolerable behavior (such as open adultery, or drug and alcohol abuse), relocation is almost always advisable. You should also consult with an attorney immediately to discuss options for placing you back in the home, if you wish to return. If such relocation is impossible, you may wish to consult with an attorney about the possibility of filing an emergency action requiring your spouse to vacate the marital home. This option is only available in cases where marital fault can be established.
Less clear are situations where neither party is necessarily at fault, but the marriage has become intolerable for one reason or another. If your spouse will not leave the home, and you wish to seek a divorce, it is likely that you will need to establish residence elsewhere for purposes of filing an action in Family Court. Judges routinely dismiss cases filed by parties who still reside together for “lack of jurisdiction.” Before making a decision about moving, however, you should always consult with a Florence SC divorce lawyer.
Should I pursue a fault-based divorce or a no-fault divorce?
Just because you can prove fault as the basis for the breakup of your marriage, doesn’t always mean you should.
There can be real value in delaying pursuit of a fault-based divorce in favor of attempting amicable resolution of your case. An amicable divorce may have a variety of benefits, including reduced cost to you, improved co-parenting of your children, and a reduction of stress.
If such amicable resolution is impossible, a fault-based divorce may be of some benefit to you. Fault is a factor in determining custody of the children, if such behavior impacted their well-being. Fault may be a factor in the overall division of property (albeit, a generally small factor).
Perhaps of primary importance is that a spouse found to have engaged in adulterous conduct is forever barred from receiving alimony. This can and does have a huge impact on marital litigation in this state.
Please always consult a Florence SC divorce attorney before making a decision in this regard.
What is the divorce process?
Just as every marriage is different, so too is every divorce. In general, though, we describe the different processes in terms of “Option A” and “Option B.”
Option A is preferable in cases where our client wishes to make the process as amicable and cooperative as possible. We make direct contact with our client’s spouse, inviting him or her to dialogue with us directly, or to have an attorney contact us in an effort to resolve any differences by agreement. We then negotiate the terms of a comprehensive, written agreement, which both parties then sign. That agreement is then presented to the Court for its approval and a judge’s signature. Once approved by a judge, the agreement becomes enforceable by the Court and immediately goes into effect. Assuming full resolution of disagreements, the only remaining action that the parties will need to take is to actually be divorced, which can take place at a later date.
Option B is preferable in cases where our client is satisfied that his or her spouse will not cooperate on issue resolution, or where there is some other reason to not delay Court involvement in the matter (protection of children or assets, fear of abuse, etc.). Under these circumstances, we will immediately file a Summons and Complaint in the appropriate Family Court, set an initial hearing date, and have the spouse personally served with these court documents. We will then begin preparations for this initial hearing in close cooperation with our client. The initial hearing, or Motion for Temporary Relief, gives the Court an opportunity to award custody and support, use and possession of the marital home, set appropriate restraining orders, and grant other needed relief to the parties for the period of time while the case is pending. Following issuance of the Court’s Temporary Order, we will generally begin the process of building our case for mediation or trial, gathering evidence through the discovery process, interviewing witnesses, taking depositions, all as needed. The case will eventually be scheduled for mediation (discussed in more detail on this site) and ultimately trial, if no agreements can be reached.
All cases are different, but you should expect this process to last not less than a year.
How will my Family Court case end?
The two main ways a Florence divorce case can be completed are “by agreement” or “by trial.”
The parties may reach an agreement on all issues in the case at any time, either by resolving their differences between themselves, through attorneys negotiating an agreement, or by reaching agreement through the mediation process. Most Family Court litigants begin their case believing no hope of consensus exists; in fact, the majority of Family Court cases are concluded in this fashion. Resolution by agreement is often less stressful, less expensive, and less time-consuming.
A case may also be resolved by trial, spending a day, a week, two weeks arguing his or her case to a judge, who makes final decisions on all the issues presented. Trials can be painful affairs in more ways than one: they can be breathtakingly expensive, traumatic for all involved, and conclude with results that are unsatisfactory to all. Unfortunately, trial cannot always be avoided, and is in fact an absolute necessity in some matters.
Personal Injury FAQ
How do I know if I need a personal injury lawyer?
If you or a family member experiences a serious injury, you can benefit from speaking to an injury lawyer. Often, the insurance company for the person who caused the accident will try to settle with you before you have an opportunity to retain an attorney because they know they can probably settle the case for less money. If you have legal representation, your injury lawyer, who is experienced in all aspects of personal injury, will investigate your case by obtaining statements from witnesses, taking photos of the auto accident scene and vehicles involved and doing everything he or she can to make sure you receive an appropriate settlement, or prepare your case to go to trial.
Is there a charge for our first meeting?
No, there is no charge to have your case reviewed by our South Carolina accident lawyers.
How is my injury lawyer paid? What if I can’t afford an injury lawyer?
Unlike many other lawyers, our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means the injury lawyer gets paid only if he or she helps collect money for you. If the lawyer is successful, a percentage of the settlement will go to the lawyer as a fee. The percentage fee is computed before deducting expenses.
If I have an accident, do I always have to bring suit against the other party to receive a settlement?
No. If either party has liability insurance and if the insurance company is willing to volunteer a fair settlement, you do not have to bring a lawsuit. If they are not willing to make a settlement, or if they are not willing to pay you the worth of your claim, then you would have to bring a lawsuit.
In South Carolina, how long do I have to file a lawsuit?
You have at least two years from the date of the accident to get your suit filed and served on the at-fault party. The time limit may be longer under certain circumstances.
Who may bring an action for damages in a personal injury case?
If you are a competent adult, over the age of 18, and are injured, you must bring the lawsuit in your own name. If you are a minor, under the age of 18, or an incompetent adult, then suit must be brought by either your parents or guardian.
How much money am I entitled to for my injuries?
There is no set amount. The primary reason you need a personal injury lawyer is to help you evaluate your case. Most injury lawyers who handle personal injury cases are familiar with how juries react in similar cases. This gives the personal injury lawyer guidance as to how to advise you regarding a fair settlement. The amount of your medical expenses, as well as your other elements of damage, will help the injury lawyer decide what your case is worth.