Strom Law Firm Columbia SC
No obligations & no credit card required

Child Custody Lawyers

Child Custody Lawyersย  in South Carolina: How to Protect Your Interest

The best parents agree that nothing is more important than child custody and making sure your children well cared for during a divorce.ย  In fact, parents often stay together longer than they would otherwise want to do when they have young children in the home. Custody decisions made in court at the beginning of a divorce can often have long-reaching effects.ย  Making sure you are armed with all of the facts and that you are well prepared to present your case to a Judge is critical in a child custody action. ย Do not risk going into a South Carolina family court without a child custody lawyer to advocate on your behalf. Our South Carolina Divorce Attorneys located in Columbia will ensure that your future is protected. Give us a call today at 803-252-4800 to schedule a consultation. We also handle cases statewide including Lexington, Greenville, Orangeburg and Sumter

What are the different types of Child Custody Cases in South Carolina?

Child Custody Lawyersย  in South Carolina

There are two different types of child custody for the SC Familyย  Court to decide โ€“ physical child custody and legal child custody. Physical child custody is the actual possession and care of the child. Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make decisions regarding the childโ€™s upbringing. In making child custody decisions, the family court can decide to grant sole child custody or joint child custody. ย If one parent is granted sole custody, the South Carolina Family court is still likely to grant visitation to the noncustodial parent, unless it would be harmful or dangerous to the child. Courts can also order that child visitation be supervised if it is in the best interest of the child.

Sole Child Custody vs. Joint Child Custody

Sole child custody is where one parent has the sole ability to make major decisions concerning the child. These types of decisions include the child’s education, medical and dental care, extracurricular activities, and religious affiliation. Sometimes the parent may be required to consult or discuss certain issues with the other parent prior to deciding those issues for the child.

Joint child custody refers to a situation where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions. However, S.C. Code Ann. ยงย 63-15-210(2) states that a judge may “designate one parent to have sole authority to make specific, identified decisions while both parents retain equal rights and responsibilities for all other decisions.” In both sole child custody and joint child custody arrangements, both parents have equal access to obtain all educational and medical records of their minor children, unless it would be prohibited by an SC Family Court Order or State law.

Physical Child Custody and Child Visitation

child custody

South Carolina family law allows parents to determine child custody and visitation by agreement and withoutย  Family court intervention if the parents so decide. ย If the parents are unable to reach an agreement, the Family court will consider many factors based on the best interest of the child.ย  Some of those factors are:

  • Which parent will be most likely to allow the other parent to develop and maintain a relationship with the child; Circumstances of the spouses;
  • The religious faith of the parents and child; and
  • The welfare of the child.

Child’s Preference on Child Custody

Contrary to popular opinion, there is no magic age at which a child can choose to live with one or the other parent. The South Carolinaย  Family Court is required to consider the child’s preference at all ages, along with the reasons for the specific preference. Many judges weigh the preferences of 11, 12, and 13 year-olds, provided their choice is clear and the preference is given for a legitimate reason.

Visitation With Children

When one parent is awarded child custody, the other parent will generally be awarded a set visitation schedule (absent some concern for the safety of the child is left with the visiting parent). ย The amount of visitation that the non-custodial parent is awarded depends on a totality of the partiesโ€™ circumstances.ย  This often involves a look at the geographic distance, the nature of the relationship between the parents and the child, the parentโ€™s work schedule or availability, and the interaction between the two parents. Custodial parents are never allowed to restrict a non-custodial parentโ€™s visitation rights on the basis that the non-custodial parent has not paid or kept current his/her child support guidelines obligation.

Supervised Child Visitation or Restricted Chid Visitation

Only in rare cases where the visiting parent poses a threat or endangers the child’s health, safety, or welfare, will there be supervised visitation or restricted visitation. ย The threat must be legitimate, not presumed, or imaginary, and the burden is on the parent requesting the supervision or restrictions to prove the necessity.

The SC Family court will evaluate both the father’s rights in a divorce and the mother’s rights in a divorce equally, weighing each parentโ€™s ability to provide a stable and safe home environment for the child. Different SCย  Judges have written standard schedules which set forth visitation times for the non-custodial parent along with child visitation guidelines. A good example is the “Standard Visitation, Guidelines, and Restraining Orders” written by retired Judge Timothy L. Brown.

The Child Custody Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm will guide you through theย  SC Divorce process including Child Custody

Theย  Child Custody Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm located in Columbia have helped countless individuals in your situation pursue a favorable child custody resolution. ย If you are concerned about being denied custody and/or visitation with your child, we will work closely with you throughout the entire divorce process. It is important that you have a Divorce Attorney on your side to defend your ability to care for your childโ€™s best interest and to improve your chances of obtaining custody. Give us a call today at 803.252.4800.

Give our Child Custody Lawyersย  a call today 803-252-4800 to discuss your concerns regarding child custody in South Carolina.

How this works

Step 1 - Welcome
In this step, you'll experience a warm welcome as you enter the Strom Law Firm.
1
Step 2 - Initial Meeting
You'll meet with professionals. They will go through the facts of your case, explain the entire process.
2
Step 3 - Preparations
We builds your case by interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, and hiring experts.
3
Step 4 - Trial
You'll learn that the firm is trial-ready. They've been preparing since day one and will guide you through the process.
4
Step 5 - Resolution
your case concludes with the firm hoping for a positive outcome. They assure enduring friendships and a commitment to being there for you, regardless of future legal needs.
5
No obligations & no credit card required

STROM LAW IS...

0 +
years combined
legal experience
0 +
awards &
accredetations
0
Founded
in
0
years
in business

What Our Clients Say

They truly care
Mrs Vallery, who answered the phone took more care and attention to detail than any other law office, that I have called, in 2 years+. She diligently took notes to give to the lawyers and cared about my situation and let me actually tell everything without cutting me short. Out of over 100 law offices, this is rare treatment. Care. Consideration. That means more than anything going through this…
Anonymous
google-logo
Professional Representation, Satisfying Legal Outcome!
My wife and I retained Bakari Sellers to represent our son in a case in Richland County. We found Mr. Sellers, his assistant Stephanie, and the rest of the staff at Strom, extremely courteous and professional. We really appreciated Mr. Sellers’ straightforward and honest approach. We believe this is a very competent law firm, and are satisfied with the legal outcome they achieved. We would highly recommend them!
Bryan B.
google-logo
Exceptional Legal Team After Our Car Accident!
We retained Atty Jessica Fickling to help us after a terrible car accident. She and her paralegal Mallory were wonderful! Professional, skilled, savvy – we couldnโ€™t have asked for a better legal team. Many thanks!!
Jocelyn C.
google-logo
Strom Law Firm's Consistent Excellence
I have been a client with The Strom Law Firm for thirty years and have been incredibly blessed to have the assurance that they will do everything possible to provide excellent service to my needs. Ally Benevento is exceptional and represents the firm in a professional manner.
Timothy O.
google-logo
From Self-Representation to Victory in SSDI Case!
My experience with Mario and his staff was outstanding. When everyone said to give up my case with SSDI and after being poorly represented and losing. I had to file my own appeals and represent myself. I literally called every attorney in the book. Then I called Mario cold – I expected one more no! Well, this gentleman took my case and won. He knows the law and cares a lot. I am proud to call him my friend. If you need a professional to help you, call these guys.
Robert L.
google-logo
A Pleasure to Work With, Outstanding Case Outcome!
Thanks Olivia, It was a pleasure working with you. You were well prepared and presented our case in a very professional manner. I could not have ask for a better outcome. Working with everyone at the Strom Law Firm has always been a pleasure and I will be happy to recommend your Law Firm to anyone.
Nancy G.
google-logo
A Lifesaver in the Courtroom, Ensuring Freedom with A1 Professionalism
Needed a lifesaver. I had gotten myself into a bad situation and the possibility of going to prison. Through the diligence and hard work done by attorney Alley B., I was able to walk out of that courtroom a free man. No tricks just hard down attorney work. She was an A1 professional and knew every inch of the Law pertaining to my case. For that, I am forever grateful.
Anonymous
google-logo
A Winning Team at Strom Law Firm!
John Alphin was great. We basically worked together for 22 months. Bakari Sellers was also on the team and together those 2 guys were fabulous. Won the case and Iโ€™m still a client of Strom law firm. Thank you and awesome law firm.
Steve T.
google-logo
Excellence in Action for Workman's Comp Case!
Strom Law Firm was really great and professional. I had a great experience with Mario as my attorney and his paralegal, Brian. These two are amazing, they worked very hard on my husband’s workman’s comp case and we were very pleased with the services and results ๐Ÿ‘. Brian was so prompt at returning phone calls and getting things ready for the case. I strongly recommend this firm for any of your legal matters. If I had to use you guys again, I would be happy to do so.
Mary W.
google-logo
Mastering Complex Legal Issues with Care and Compassion
Mario Pacella at Strom Law Firm LLC in Brunswick, Georgia, is a masterful, no-nonsense lawyer. His caring and compassionate approach, along with prompt responsiveness, sets him apart. Mario and the firm exhibit exceptional professionalism and attention to detail, emphasizing genuine care for every client.
L. Gilder
google-logo
No obligations & no credit card required

Contact Us For A Free Case Evaluation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

No obligations & no credit card required

*A consultation fee applies to employment matters