Get the Representation That You Need to Protect Your Family’s Relationship in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
At David W. Martin Law Group, our family law attorneys in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina understand just how quickly our city is growing and how that affects our day-to-day lives in Charleston County.
With an estimated population of nearly 92,000 people, Mount Pleasant spent years as one of the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina. And like our city, our law firm continues to grow to provide experienced legal representation for all who need a skilled family law attorney to get through trying times.
David W. Martin Law Group – Mount Pleasant Family Law Attorneys
Family law matters are deeply personal and are often complicated by our complex laws. Our family law lawyers in Mount Pleasant work tirelessly to provide a seamless experience for our clients, so they can put this difficult time behind them and move forward with confidence.
Our experienced Mount Pleasant family law firm practice areas include:
- Marital Agreements / Separation Agreements
- Mediation
- Divorce
- Property Division
- Alimony / Spousal Support
- Child Custody
- Child Support
If you need legal advice or dedicated representation in one or more of these family law practice areas, our attorneys are available now to discuss your important needs, so you can start moving in a new direction.
Will My Mount Pleasant Divorce Require a Separation Agreement?
Your divorce is as unique as you are, and the process in which it unfolds will be dictated by the type of divorce petition you file.
Our South Carolina Laws require divorces to unfold in one of two ways: One person is proven to be at-fault for adultery, desertion, cruelty, or drunkenness/drug use; or during a no-fault divorce proceeding where neither spouse is found to be at-fault for the dissolution.
When spouses file for a no-fault divorce, the law requires they live apart for one year before the divorce is finalized.
If you are seeking a no-fault divorce in South Carolina, you may need a Mount Pleasant divorce attorney to outline an Order of Separate Maintenance and Support listing the important aspects of your split.
They can include interim agreements for:
- Property division
- Spousal support, when applicable
- Child custody arrangements
- Child support payments
After one year of living separately from your spouse, or upon proving fault in your divorce proceedings, you can file for divorce where each of these issues will be finalized.
Do not leave any of the details of your divorce or separation agreement to chance. Contact our skilled Mount Pleasant divorce lawyers today at (843) 800-8165 to discuss your needs during a consultation.
Is Divorce Mediation Required in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina?
If you are getting a divorce law in Charleston County, South Carolina, you will be required to attempt to settle your case through mediation before your case is tried by a family court judge.
Our Mount Pleasant mediation attorneys provide the experience our clients need to go into their negotiation sessions ready to make informed decisions about their futures.
Mediation serves several positive purposes, including leaving the details of your divorce up to you and your spouse, instead of placing them in the hands of a judge. The process is also typically less expensive and takes less time than litigation proceedings.
However, mediation only requires that you attempt to settle the details of your divorce. If you are unable to negotiate the necessary details, you may proceed to court and have our lawyers litigate the facts and evidence of your case on your behalf.
How Does the Mount Pleasant Family Court Order Property Division Requirements?
Like most of the details that must be finalized during a Mount Pleasant divorce, property division is going to be dictated by which type of divorce you are pursuing.
While the goal is to equitably distribute shared marital property upon divorce, that may not always mean it is distributed equally.
If you are pursuing an at-fault divorce, because your spouse has cheated or treated you cruelly, the property division may lean in your favor.
Property division during a Mount Pleasant divorce includes all marital property, which are assets and debts that were acquired during the marriage. They exclude property that was brought into the marriage by each person, any inheritance, or third-party gifts.
Our property division lawyer in Mount Pleasant will review your financial standing, and that of your spouse, so no financial detail is left to chance during the divorce proceedings.
Will I Receive Alimony After a Divorce in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina?
Not all divorces in Mount Pleasant end with alimony agreements.
While South Carolina will allow for spousal support payments in some divorce proceedings, not all marriage dissolutions are eligible.
If you and your spouse cannot agree on spousal support, the judge may decide your financial fate for you.
The family court will consider many details when reviewing your alimony eligibility, including whether your marriage is ending for a fault-based reason along with:
- The length of your marriage
- Each spouse’s education, employment history, and ability to earn
- The standard of living developed during the marriage
- Separate and marital assets of each spouse
- Child custody and support arrangements
Our Mount Pleasant alimony lawyers will walk you through the eligibility requirements, the legal process, and the different types of spousal support options available for your unique needs.
How Can I Get Custody of My Children After a Divorce in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina?
Child custody is one of the main reasons why spouses are hesitant to get divorced. At David W. Martin Law Group, our child custody lawyers in Mount Pleasant do not believe you should have to stay in a marriage that is not working for you, just to ensure you do not lose custody of your children.
We will evaluate your complete marriage and family dynamics to establish who the primary caregiver is in your relationship and build a strong case according to your relationship with your children.
The family courts are advocates for families staying together, which is why — barring any harmful circumstances — they would like to see all families split their custody down the middle, fifty-fifty.
Unfortunately, not every parent’s schedule can accommodate an equal timeshare. That is why we review the following circumstances to develop a real-time agreement that is fair to both spouses while placing the best interests of the children first.
They include:
- The quality of the children’s current home environment
- The fitness of each parent to care for a child
- Whether there has been a history of violence or abuse from either parent
- Where each parent lives to school, activities, healthcare, and other necessities
The child’s preference and relationship with each parent may be considered if the judge believes they are old enough to make the decision and if it is reasonable to ask them to do so.
No matter how straightforward or complex your Mount Pleasant child custody case may be, our family law attorneys will review the details and customize solutions for emergency custody actions, mediation child custody agreements, high-conflict custody cases, Father’s Rights, Grandparents Rights, and even relocation requests by either parent.
We know how important your kids are.
Allow us to help ensure their best interests are the priority.
How Much Child Support Will I Have to Pay After a Mount Pleasant Divorce?
Our child support lawyers in Mount Pleasant will be the first to tell you that the answer to this question is different for everyone.
If your spouse was awarded physical custody of your children, you will probably be ordered to pay child support that covers their ongoing financial needs. How much that is will depend solely upon your financial standing, the number of children you are supporting, their expenses, and your ex-spouse’s finances.
For an estimated idea, you can fill out the details on the South Carolina child support calculator. However, keep in mind this is just an estimate. Talk to our Mount Pleasant child support attorneys today to learn how we can pursue the best outcome for your unique circumstances.
Contact David W. Martin Law Group Family Law Attorneys in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina for a Consultation Today
If you are considering separation or divorce, or have already begun the process and are worried about mediation, child custody, or child support details, contact our experienced Mount Pleasant family law attorneys at David W. Martin Law Group today by calling (843) 800-8165 to schedule a consultation. We are available now to discuss the important details of your case and to provide the solutions you need to move forward with confidence.
Directions to David W. Martin Law Group 108 Springs St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
These directions are from Google Maps starting from:
Mt Pleasant, SC
Total Est. Time: 2 hr 54 min
Total Est. Distance: 195 mi
- Head southwest on US-17 S/N Hwy 17 toward Parking Lot
- Pass by Starbucks
- Turn right to merge onto I-526 W toward N. Charleston/Savannah
- Follow I-26 W and I-77 N to US-21 N/Cherry Rd in York County. Take exit 82A-82B-82C from I-77 N
- Merge onto I-526 W
- Take exit 17B toward Columbia
- Merge onto I-26 W
- Keep left to stay on I-26 W
- Take exit 116 to merge onto I-77 N toward Charlotte
- Keep left to stay on I-77 N
- Take exit 82A-82B-82C to merge onto US-21 N/Cherry Rd toward Fort Mill
- Follow US-21 N/Cherry Rd and US-21 Business/Spratt St to Springs St in Fort Mill
- Merge onto US-21 N/Cherry Rd
- Turn right onto US-21 Business/Spratt St
- Turn left onto S White St
- Turn right onto Main St
- Slight left onto Springs St
- Destination will be on the right
Call us:
(803) 548-2468
Email Us:
david@davidwmartinlaw.com
We are located at:
108 Springs St,
Fort Mill, SC,
29715, United States
Frequently Asked questions for FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY for MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA
Your spouse cannot stop you from obtaining a divorce if you can prove grounds for divorce based on the South Carolina requirements If your spouse does not have a legitimate defense to dispute your claim, you may proceed with the divorce petition.
South Carolina does not recognize a legal separation. You are either married or not married. We do have an Action for Separate Maintenance and Support, which operates much like a legal separation would elsewhere. Our Mount Pleasant divorce attorneys can explain the differences to you during a consultation.
If both spouses have lived in South Carolina for at least three months, either spouse is eligible to file for divorce. One spouse must have resided in the state for at least one year if the other lives out of state.
A family law attorney can guide you through the divorce process, protect your rights, handle paperwork, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court. They can also help with child custody, asset division, and spousal support.
Child custody in Mount Pleasant is determined based on the child’s best interests. Factors considered include the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs, the child’s adjustment to home, school, and community, and the mental and physical health of all parties involved.
To modify a child support order in Mount Pleasant, you must show a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was made. This can include changes in income, employment status, or the child’s needs. A family law attorney can help you file a petition for modification and present your case in court.
The time it takes to finalize a divorce in Mount Pleasant varies depending on the case’s complexity and whether it is contested or uncontested. An uncontested divorce can take as little as three months, while a contested divorce involving disputes over assets, custody, or support can take much longer.
Yes, a family law attorney can help with divorce mediation. They can prepare you for mediation, advise you during the process, and review agreements to ensure they are fair and legally sound. David W. Martin Law Group provides valuable support throughout.
In South Carolina, assets are divided equitably, which means fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions, the value of marital property, and each spouse’s economic circumstances when dividing assets.
Alimony is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. In Mount Pleasant, alimony is determined by several factors, including the duration of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources and earning potential, and each spouse’s contributions to the marriage.
While you can handle an uncontested divorce without a lawyer, legal representation ensures proper paperwork, protects your rights, and helps you understand the implications of any agreements. David W. Martin Law Group can offer valuable advice throughout the process.
