
Divorce is the process of dissolving a marriage and making the necessary decisions about the division of marital property and debts, and how to care for children from the marriage. Going through a divorce is often stressful and overwhelming, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. If you are facing a divorce, a Florence divorce lawyer at Deas Law Firm can help you navigate the process and make sure your interests and rights are protected in every interaction.
The skilled and compassionate family law attorneys at Deas Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping clients in the Florence area with legal matters such as divorce. We know that each case is unique, and we take the time to fully understand each client’s situation and tailor a legal strategy to the client’s needs. Our top priority is to advocate fiercely for a favorable outcome in divorce cases so that our clients can focus on this transition for their family.
According to the US Census Bureau, South Carolina ranks fourth highest in the United States for marriages and 24th for divorce. Both of those rates have stayed relatively steady over the years.
Most divorces start when one spouse decides to hire a divorce lawyer, who then completes a divorce petition and files it with the family court. Then the other spouse is served the divorce papers and can obtain their own divorce attorney at that time. Each family is different, but in general, the main goals of the divorce process are to split the assets and debts of the marriage, set up alimony if needed, and determine how to care for children.
When a marriage ends, the property owned by the spouses is generally either marital property or personal property. Marital property is all the assets and debts acquired by either partner during the marriage. Personal property is all the assets and debts that each partner had before marriage and may also include certain gifts.
South Carolina uses the equitable distribution model of property division, meaning all marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally between the spouses. To determine what is fair, a judge considers how long the marriage lasted, how each spouse contributed to the household, including raising children, and the economic circumstances of each spouse.
Alimony is the term for financial payments made from one spouse to another to support them during separation and/or after the divorce is finalized. Not all families require alimony, and it generally applies to situations where one spouse’s income or expenses are significantly higher than the other’s. Alimony can be long-term or temporary, depending on the needs of the family.
When there are underage children from the marriage, it is necessary to determine how the children will be cared for. The goal is to prioritize what the children need and establish each parent’s responsibility as such. This usually includes a parenting plan about where the children will live and may also require one parent to make payments to support the children financially.
The outcome of a divorce can have an impact on the whole family for months or years to come. The job of a divorce lawyer is to help their client navigate the complexities of divorce and family court and to make sure the client’s interests are being taken into account in the proceedings. A trusted attorney is familiar with legal procedures and timelines, as well as the options available for complicated circumstances.
Maybe most importantly, your divorce lawyer in Florence can act as a kind of buffer between you and your spouse, ensuring that interactions are as amicable and respectful as possible, even when emotions run high. Whether it means mediation, negotiation, or representing you in court, an experienced divorce attorney can be your partner throughout the divorce process.
The cost of a divorce lawyer in Florence can vary and depends on several factors. Some considerations include the complexity of the case, the willingness of the spouses to negotiate, and whether the divorce is contested, as well as the experience, reputation, and location of the divorce lawyer. Be sure to ask your attorney about fees, fee structure, payments, and billing when you have your first consultation.
A lawyer is not required for a divorce in South Carolina, and in some cases, where there are no children or marital property, spouses may not need to hire a divorce lawyer at all. However, most divorce cases do include children or assets and debts that need to be divided fairly. In such cases, it is highly recommended to work with an experienced divorce attorney to make sure your divorce settlement provides for your needs and interests.
The wife is not entitled to any more or less than the husband in South Carolina. Rather, marital property, alimony, and child support are determined based on several factors, such as what each spouse contributed to the marriage, each spouse’s income, and the needs of each spouse. Since each case is unique, the most effective way to determine what each spouse is entitled to in your divorce is to speak with a qualified divorce lawyer.
The legal grounds to file for a divorce in Florence are a no-fault or a fault-based cause. To get a no-fault divorce, both parties to the divorce must have been living separately for at least a year. For a fault-based divorce in South Carolina, one spouse must show that the marriage ended due to inappropriate behavior from the other spouse, namely drug or alcohol abuse, physical abuse, adultery, or abandonment. Your attorney can determine which type of divorce is right for you.
The lawyers at Deas Law Firm are well-versed in Florence divorce laws and the way judges handle divorces in our area. We can use that knowledge and our extensive experience with divorce cases to help you get the desired outcome in your divorce. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
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