Going through a divorce or legal separation brings a multitude of worries and concerns, and if you have children, they are most likely your top priority. Our Family law attorneys have helped many individuals navigate the ever-changing laws surrounding family courts. Ensure that you are up-to-date with the most current South Carolina divorce, child custody, child visitation, and legal separation laws.
Alimony
Alimony is financial support paid to a former spouse. There are different types of alimony in South Carolina. Permanent, periodic alimony is paid on a regular schedule over time. It terminates on the death of either party or when the receiving spouse remarries. Alimony is modifiable based upon a showing of substantial change in circumstances of either party. Duggan & Hughes is here to assist clients in Greenville, Spartanburg and upstate South Carolina in alimony disputes and modifications.
Child Custody
Duggan & Hughes is here to resolve issues involving child custody. When an agreement between the parents cannot be reached, the issues are resolved by the Family Court. Addressing the best interests of the child is vital to a successful conclusion in a child custody dispute. If you need legal representation regarding child custody in Greenville, Spartanburg, as well as the entire upstate of South Carolina, please contact Duggan & Hughes.
Child Visitation
Duggan & Hughes can play a vital role in protecting both your rights as a parent and the welfare of your child. In particular, the attorney can help you to work with your spouse on reaching a peaceful resolution, or parenting plan. In many cases, you can develop a parenting plan with the child’s other parent that covers where the child will live, visitation rights and who will have decision-making authority.
Divorce
In South Carolina, you can file for divorce based upon five (5) grounds, which includes either a no-fault ground that applies if you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for one year, or four fault grounds: physical cruelty; desertion for more than one(1) year; adultery; or habitual drunkenness or habitual use of drugs. Divorce also involves the equitable division of marital property, which involves numerous factors and issues.
Separation
If you and your spouse wish to remain married, but seek a legal separation, Duggan & Hughes can assist you with issues pertaining to child support, alimony, child custody, property, and visitation during the separation.
Legal Name Change
In South Carolina, legal name changes (not incident to marriage or divorce) and delayed birth certificates can only be obtained via court order. A person seeking a change of name must file an action in the local family court. To an individual unfamiliar with the process, it may seem quite overwhelming and ultimately, not worth the effort.
Let Duggan & Hughes assist you in navigating this process. We will walk you through the process from beginning to end and will help ensure that it is neither an overwhelming nor stressful experience.
Prenuptial Agreements
Premarital agreements can help couples identify non-marital property prior to entering into a marriage. One of the biggest potential expenses in divorce can be determining what property should and should not be considered a marital asset. Additionally, parents with children from a previous marriage may want to consider a premarital agreement to protect property intended for their children in the event of divorce.