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One of the most common questions divorcing couples ask surrounds the division of property. Every state is different when it comes to dividing property, but the process to assess value to the property is practically the same no matter where you live. South Carolina is an equitable division state w...

Everyone makes mistakes. However, some of those mistakes can lead to arrest and criminal charges no matter how innocent you thought they were. South Carolina has some interesting laws on the books. Want to play a pinball machine at an arcade or pizza parlor? You better be 18. Own horses? If th...

Despite how common it is to get divorced, many people still shudder at the thought of it. Even if you agree on all the important parts of a divorce (child custody, alimony, and property division), it can still cost a pretty penny. Filing for divorce in South Carolina costs $150. The couple will n...

The pandemic wreaked havoc on the world in more ways than one. Aside from the enormous death toll, which has surpassed four million, businesses have closed for good and millions of people are without jobs. One such victim of the pandemic was the justice system. Because so many courts shut down, j...

Many people marry because they want to have children. Many spouses stay together, even when they know the marriage is over, for the sake of their children. They think that staying engaged in their children's lives is more important than the difficulties of being in a loveless marriage. The “empty...

Driving under the influence of drugs is a crime in South Carolina, and you can face criminal charges if you are caught doing so. The drugs can be those which are prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act, such as marijuana or illegal opioids. Driving under prescription drugs may also be a cr...

When spouses divorce, most of the family issues are resolved either at the time of the divorce or shortly thereafter. The judge issues a divorce decree, which grants the spouses the right to start new relationships and to remarry if they choose. The marital property is divided in accordance with ...

The different participants in the criminal justice system have different interests. The job of a criminal defense lawyer is to assert every argument and every strategy possible to achieve the best possible outcome for his client. The prosecutor is there to represent the needs of the public when a...

Every parent's nightmare is their child falling seriously ill. But imagine this bad dream getting even worse. You take your child to the hospital or urgent care for medical help and the recommended course of treatment has significant side effects – side effects that you believe will have harmful ...

Kratom is a supplement derived from the tropical evergreen tree Mitragyna speciosa. It is native to Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and other South Asian countries, where people have used the leaves as both a stimulant and sedative for decades, if not centuries. Some people also use kratom for treat...

Whether a parent is in the beginning stages of a divorce, in the middle of a custody dispute, or are thinking about modifying a custody agreement, they almost always have the same question – how can I maximize the amount of time I will get to spend with my children? Of course, every case is uniqu...

Parenting classes are often the result of a guardian ad litem recommendation that the court accepts. The course is usually suggested in response to concerns of the other parent that the guardian has been able to validate through an investigation. In other cases, such as an emergency hearing, the ...

It used to be automatically assumed that, upon a divorce, the children would live with the mother and have visitation with their father. This premise, called the “tender years” doctrine, is no longer the standard, because children fare best when both parents are active participants in their lives...

Adultery is a common reason couples divorce, and can be claimed in a fault-based divorce. However, to make an adultery allegation, you must have hard proof. You may hear about an affair through gossip or your circle of friends, but this is not enough for the court. Our clients sometimes ask if th...

A child's home should be a safe place, a stable and permanent space for their healthy upbringing. Parents and guardians have a responsibility to provide this for their children's welfare. However, when their home environment puts a child in immediate danger, South Carolina emergency custody attor...

Usually the first question our clients ask after they are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) is whether or not they are going to lose their driver's license. No matter the circumstances, DUI is a serious offense in South Carolina. You will face penalties, but the severity of these pen...

It does not matter whether a divorce is amiable or acrimonious; when matters of child custody are at play, emotions can run high. It is natural to want your child with you as much as possible, and it is important to understand how the court determines the best interests of the child. The “best in...

When you are the subject of a criminal investigation, accused of a crime, or have already been arrested, the best time to hire a criminal defense attorney is now. Whether the charges are minor or serious, having experienced counsel in your corner is the best chance for a successful outcome for yo...

If you own a small business or sole proprietorship and are considering divorce, the division of marital assets becomes even more important. During this process, spouses identify, evaluate and divide their marital property. For some couples, division of property can be straightforward – typically ...

Divorcing takes a lot out of you mentally and emotionally, in general. When you own a business it presents an entirely new area of concern to keep you awake at night. Will your spouse be entitled to part of your company? Will you have to sell anything off? How are you going to manage things if yo...

It seems at least once a year we hear about someone being killed on South Carolina's waterways in a tragic boating accident. In 2020, there have been at least 3 so far: one in Lake Murray, one in Lake Wylie, and one in Lake Keowee – the 35th death in Lake Keowee in the last 25 years. The number o...

In South Carolina, inheritances are typically immune to equitable division during divorce, and this rule applies regardless of the form of the inherited asset – whether cash, real estate or any other type of property. This also applies whether the spouse received the inheritance before or during ...

Nobody thinks they are going to get a divorce when they first get married. The longer your marriage lasts, the harder it can be to rationalize ending it, but that is exactly what's happening with a lot of older couples. According to Pew Research Center, the number of couples divorcing over the ag...

Getting pulled over for suspected drunk driving can be frightening. Your first instinct may be to comply with whatever the officer asks you to do, including exiting the vehicle for perform field sobriety tests. Standardized field sobriety tests are tools used by law enforcement to garner evidence...

Seeing blue lights in your rearview mirror makes your heart race. The situation becomes even tenser if you've had a drink or two. Being pulled over for suspicion of DUI is completely nerve-wracking. It's important that you understand the process you will undergo during a South Carolina traffic st...