Divorce can be a very traumatic experience and can wreak financial devastation upon you. No doubt, the temporary hearing is very crucial, as it can set the tone for the ultimate outcome. Thus it is very important to have good advice and effective counsel at the beginning to obtain the best possible results in terms of property division, alimony support, visitation, and/or child custody and support.
In order to be able to institute an action for divorce, you must have resided in this State at least one year prior to the commencement of the action or, if the Plaintiff (the one bringing the lawsuit) is a nonresident, the Defendant (the one getting sued) must have so resided in this State for the same one-year period. If both parties live in South Carolina, then the Plaintiff must have been a resident for three months.
Grounds for Divorce in South Carolina:
- Living Separate and Apart *
- Desertion *
- Adultery,
- Habitual Drunkenness (Drug Abuse)
- Physical Cruelty
(* These require the parties be apart for at least one (1) year prior to filing. You and your spouse must live in separate residences.)
Until the Family Court issues a decision, both spouses have equal rights to possession and access of the residence, regardless of whether the property is in one or both names.
Good sources of Divorce information can be found at the following websites:
Divorce Support: http://www.divorcesupport.com/
Divorce Source: http://www.divorcesource.com/info/divorcelaws/southcarolina.shtml
SC Divorce Information: http://www.womansdivorce.com/south-carolina.html
Divorce Law Info (Very Good Source) http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/states/sc/southcarolina.htm
The Hanson Law Firm can help ease your stress and get you through the ordeal of divorce and onto a better life. For your own financial and emotional health, call The Hanson Law Firm if you need assistance in any of the following areas:
- Separations/Property Division Agreements
- Divorces (contested and uncontested)
- Alimony and property division
- Child related issues (custody, support, visitation and relocation)
- Adoptions (foreign, domestic, step parent)
- Prenuptial agreements
ADOPTION
Adoption is most commendable and can be a very rewarding experience. It is an alternative choice for couples who want to share life with a child. Adoption is an option available for the person facing an unplanned pregnancy and who is unable to provide the care that a child requires.
Adoption is the process by which the biological parents lose all rights to a child and that child becomes the child of the adoptive parents. An Order of Adoption provides the adoptive parents with all the rights and obligations as the legal parents. Likewise, the adopted child takes on the same rights as a birth child for inheritance, child custody and support. The adoption order provides for the changing of the child’s name and for the issuance of a new birth certificate.
Good sources of information on Adoption can be found at the following websites:
Stork Search: http://www.storksearch.org/index.html
SC Department of Social Services: https://dss.sc.gov/content/customers/adoptions/index.aspx
Adoption Agencies: http://www.myadoptionagencies.com/adoption-search/south_carolina_adoption_agencies.html
North American Council on Adoptable Children:
How to adopt: http://www.nacac.org/howtoadopt/howtoadopt.html
SC Profile: http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/stateprofiles/southcarolina.html
Are you facing separation or divorce and need some direction? Do you have suspicions about your spouse’s extra activities? Or perhaps you are interested in adopting a child and don’t know where to start?
If so, contact The Hanson Law Firm (803) 798-9446.