In South Carolina, you file an order of protection by submitting a petition in family court and explaining the abuse or threat that led you to seek protection. To qualify, the abuse usually must involve a household or family member covered by state law. Who can ask...
The promotion comes with a better salary, more responsibility and a chance to move forward professionally. But for a parent who shares custody, the decision may not feel like a simple career move. A later end to the workday could mean missing school pickups. Business...
Having a child brings joy. It can also raise legal questions for unmarried parents. In South Carolina, a man does not become the legal father just because he is the biological father. Parents may need to establish paternity to protect the child and both parents....
When a parent keeps you from seeing your grandchild, it can be difficult to lose a relationship that once felt like a regular part of your life. You may have shared visits, holidays or other important moments. At the same time, parents generally have the right to...
Yes. In South Carolina, continued cohabitation can end periodic alimony, but the paying spouse must prove more than just the former spouse’s dating relationship or occasional overnight visits. The issue often turns on whether the supported spouse has lived with a...
Many people (generally women) who took their spouse’s last name or added it to their own when they got married choose to go back to their previous name when they divorce. Whether or not to do so is a decision unique to the person, their profession, their relationship...
Stepparent adoption is a formal legal process. A stepparent who has already opened their home and their heart to a stepchild can ask the courts to recognize them as one of the legal parents of the child. Stepparent adoptions require an investment of time and money....
Marriage is an exciting chapter, especially when you are a young professional building your career and future. Talking about a prenuptial agreement may feel uncomfortable, or even pessimistic, but it is really about protecting what you have worked hard to earn. Here...
Many people hoping to adopt have heard concerning stories about the process. Claims about adoption costing tens of thousands of dollars or taking years to complete can leave people hoping to become parents feeling unsure about their options. Some aspiring parents use...
Courts have options when splitting up custody between parents. They can issue joint custody, which means that both parents share custody rights. The court can also issue sole custody in some situations. This is less common, but it means that one parent is given...