Columbia Child Custody Lawyer

Columbia, SC Child Custody Attorney

Filing for child custody can be an emotionally challenging decision. It may leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure if you are making the right choices for your child. If you are having child custody issues, you need a Columbia, SC child custody lawyer who can help you find solutions that are in your child’s best interests.

Hire a Child Custody Lawyer

When you hire a child custody lawyer, you want someone you can feel comfortable relaying private family matters to. Custody battles can be emotionally draining, and your Columbia child custody attorney should be supportive during this process. At Deas Law Firm, we understand how difficult it can be to arrange a child custody schedule that works. Our Columbia Family Law Attorneys have over two decades of experience in representing Columbia families in family court.

Family Court Cases in Richland County

Child custody cases are not handled in the same manner as other types of civil cases. Family court has the sole jurisdiction over marriage, divorce, custody, visitation, child support and termination of parental rights. Columbia families can file child custody cases in the Richland County Family Court.

The South Carolina Judicial Department tracks pending family court cases to make sure they are seen in a timely manner. Ideally, cases are filed and brought before a judge within 365 days or less. In some cases, however, it may take from 366-540 days or over 541 days for a case to be reviewed by a judge. As of the end of June 2025, Richland had a total of 3,403 pending family court cases. Of those cases:

• 2,444 cases had been waiting 365 days or less.
• 420 cases had been waiting from 366 to 540 days.
• 539 cases had been waiting 541 days or longer.

Types of Child Custody Cases

Child custody cases involve more than just deciding how much time a child spends with each parent. There are two types of custody:

1. Physical: The parent who receives physical custody has the primary responsibility of housing the child and providing for their day-to-day needs.
2. Legal: The parent with legal custody has the authority to make decisions for the child. These decisions include where the child goes to school, if they attend church, what extracurricular activities they can participate in, and other similar situations.

Child custody laws in Columbia, SC divide both physical and legal custody between the two parents in numerous ways. Specifically, these can involve:

• Sole custody: When a parent is awarded sole custody, it could be legal, physical, or both types of custody. Sole custody gives the parent exclusive authority to make decisions for the child.
• Joint custody: Joint custody can refer to legal, physical, or both types of custody. When both parents have joint custody, they must make decisions for the child together.
• Split custody: When multiple children are involved, the court may decide to split them between the two parents’ households. This option is not widely used.
• Visitation: When one parent is awarded sole physical and legal custody, the other parent is entitled to a minimum amount of parenting time in the form of visitation.

Family law judges have wide discretion to make decisions about custody arrangements based on the best interests of the child. Custody agreements can also change over time as the child gets older, and if one or both families grow or change.

FAQs About Columbia, SC Child Custody Laws

What Is the Biggest Mistake in a Child Custody Battle?

The biggest mistake any parent can make during a child custody battle is to lose sight of the best interests of the child. When custody becomes a battle between the parents instead of a process to provide a loving and stable environment for the child, a mistake has been made. The child should not be forced to choose a side, act as a messenger between their parents, or feel that either parent does not love or want them.

What Looks Bad in a Child Custody Case?

Many actions would look bad in a child custody case. Actions that demonstrate instability, selfishness, or recklessness indicate to the court that the child may not be safe with that parent. A history of substance abuse or criminality also looks bad during a custody case. When a parent neglects their parental duties, fails to respond to court orders, or attempts to alienate their child from the other parent, the court looks poorly on these behaviors.

What Rights Does a Father Have in South Carolina?

The rights a father has in South Carolina are determined by the marital status of the father. If the mother and father are married, the father automatically has the same rights as the mother. If the mother and father are not married, the father must establish paternity before he has any rights to the child. Paternity can be established voluntarily or through a family court order. Once paternity has been established, the father has the same rights as the mother.

Is South Carolina a 50/50 Child Custody State?

South Carolina does not have a legal presumption for equal parenting time. Child custody is determined solely in the best interests of the child. An equal split can be awarded if the judge determines that the arrangement is in the best interests of the child. In contested cases, the judge may consider the parents’ ability to cooperate and communicate when making custody determinations.

How Old Does a Child Have to Be to Choose Which Parent to Live With in South Carolina?

South Carolina does not have a designated age at which a child can choose which parent they would like to live with. However, children are allowed to state their preference to the judge. The judge is required to make determinations based on the best interests of the child. A judge can consider the child’s age, maturity level, personal judgment, and the reasons for the preference when deciding where the child should be placed.

Contact Deas Law Firm

In matters involving your children, you should never settle. Our team has the experience and compassion to work toward a child custody order that is in the best interests of your child and works within your life. As your family changes, we can help you modify orders. Contact Deas Law Firm today to schedule your initial consultation.

Contact Deas Law Firm Today

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