Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in South Carolina

Residency Requirements

• If both spouses are SC residents: 3 months


• If only one spouse is SC resident: 1 year

Grounds for Divorce

• No-fault: 1 year continuous separation


• Fault-based: Adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, desertion

Filing Process

1. File Complaint for Divorce in Family Court


2. Serve your spouse


3. Complete mandatory mediation (if required)


4. Finalize through settlement or trial

Family Courts in South Carolina

South Carolina has a unified Family Court system that handles all family law matters.

Jurisdiction

• Divorce and annulment


• Child custody and visitation


• Child support


• Adoption


• Domestic violence


• Juvenile matters

Court Locations

46 counties each have Family Court locations.

Filing Fees in South Carolina

Fee Schedule

• Divorce filing fee: $150


• Service fees: Vary by county

Fee Waiver

Available for those who cannot afford fees with proper documentation.

Typical Costs

• Uncontested: $500-$2,500


• Contested: $5,000-$25,000+

Free Legal Resources in South Carolina

South Carolina Legal Services

• Website: sclegal.org


• Phone: 1-888-346-5592


• Serves low-income South Carolinians

Online Resources

• SC Bar Lawyer Referral: scbar.org


• SC Free Legal Answers: sc.freelegalanswers.org

Self-Help Resources

SC Courts Self-Represented Litigant Program

Critical Deadlines in South Carolina

Separation Period

1 year continuous separation for no-fault divorce.

Response Deadline

30 days to respond after being served.

Final Hearing

Minimum 90 days after filing for no-fault divorce (can be waived in some cases).

South Carolina's Unique Family Law Features

Unified Family Court

SC has a dedicated Family Court handling all family matters - unlike many states that use general courts.

1-Year Separation Required

No-fault divorce requires 1 year of continuous separation - longer than most states.

Guardian ad Litem

Courts commonly appoint GALs to investigate and represent children's best interests.

Mediation

Many family courts require mandatory mediation before trial.

Fault Matters for Alimony

Adultery bars the at-fault spouse from receiving alimony.