Fort Mill Divorce Lawyers 

Helping You Handle All Your Divorce Matters in Fort Mill, SC

Do you want to file for divorce but don’t know where to start? Or were you handed divorce papers and don’t know how to react? If you live in Fort Mill, South Carolina, get pointed in the right direction with the legal counsel of Blood Law, PLLC.

Our Fort Mill divorce attorneys are here to guide you through your divorce process from start to finish. Whether you were the spouse who initiated the divorce or not, we know the ins and outs of South Carolina divorce and family law to protect your best interests and those of your children. With us by your side, you can feel confident that your future will be fine, even after divorce changes things.

Speak with our experienced Fort Mill divorce lawyers today. Dial (803) 866-6030 to schedule an initial consultation.

Filing for Divorce in Fort Mill, SC

The process of filing for divorce in South Carolina can be more intricate than you first expect. Rather than getting lost in the legal terminology and requirements yourself, depend on our law firm to be your guide. We take pride in translating even the heaviest legalese into something manageable for our clients. We won’t leave you feeling confused or overlooked at any point while your divorce progresses.

Our team helps clarify legal distinctions, ensuring that you comprehend every step of your divorce proceedings. By providing personalized guidance, we ensure you are aware of your rights and obligations, making the entire process more approachable.

A few things you should know about filing for divorce in South Carolina are:

• Residency Requirements: You or your spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before you file for divorce, or you both must have lived in the state for at least three months before you file.
• No-fault Divorce: South Carolina allows no-fault divorces, meaning you can file for divorce without claiming that your spouse did something specifically wrong to trigger it. If you do, you may be required to first live separately for at least one year.
• Fault-based Divorce: South Carolina recognizes fault-based divorce that lets you say specifically what your spouse did that convinced you that you need to divorce them, including adultery, desertion for at least one year, physical abuse or domestic violence, and substance addiction. If you file for a fault-based divorce, you may be able to initiate the divorce process sooner than you would with a no-fault divorce filing.
• Filing Fees: Filing for divorce requires you to find the right Clerk of Court for your county—if you are in Fort Mill, it would likely be the York County Clerk of Courts—and pay a filing fee. This amount may vary due to legal changes but typically costs a few hundred dollars.
• Service: Your divorce papers must be officially served to your spouse. You can send the papers through certified mail, ask the local sheriff’s office to serve them, hire a professional process server, or get the help of any legal adult who doesn’t have a "personal gain" in your divorce. Please feel free to ask us what the most effective way for you would be to serve your divorce papers to your soon-to-be ex-spouse.
• Response: Your spouse has 30 days to respond to your divorce complaint after it is officially filed and served. If no response is given, we can argue that the court should rule in your favor by default. If a response is given and your spouse disagrees with one or more stipulations in your divorce complaint, we can help you prepare for the legal contest that will lie ahead.
• Mediation: A family law judge can order you and your spouse to enter mediation before finalizing your divorce. Mediation allows you to talk about the divorce complaint and its stipulations in a non-adversarial setting that encourages cooperation and compromise. Blood Law, PLLC has trained divorce mediators who can act as neutral mediators during this process.
• Property Considerations: South Carolina uses equitable distribution rules for divorce. The family law judge will assume that all marital property should be divided fairly, which might not be an exact 50-50 split. At this time, you will have to consider if financial arrangements will need to be made between you and your ex-spouse, such as alimony or child support.

It’s crucial to understand that every divorce is unique. Our team provides tailored advice to ensure that all your specific needs and concerns are addressed, minimizing stress and potential conflict throughout the process.

Is an Annulment an Option with a Fort Mill Divorce Attorney?

An annulment is not technically a type of divorce in South Carolina, but it is an alternative to divorce that might work for you. If you can use the annulment process, it will allow you to declare to the court that your marriage was not legally valid, so it should not be considered to have existed at all.

Our team can help evaluate your situation to determine if annulment genuinely suits your case. We provide guidance through this meticulous legal path, ensuring that all necessary criteria are met and that your rights are protected throughout the process.

Your marriage could be invalid and eligible for annulment if it involved:

• Duress
• Fraud
• Bigamy
• Underage spouse
• Incest
• Failure to cohabitate

Our Fort Mill divorce attorneys can determine if your marriage is eligible for annulment and if this process would be the right choice rather than a divorce. Call (803) 866-6030 today for any questions about divorce or annulment.

Understanding Child Support in South Carolina with a Family Divorce Lawyer

Child support is a critical aspect of divorce, ensuring that children continue to have financial stability despite their parents' separation. In South Carolina, child support is calculated based on several factors, including each parent's income, custody arrangements, and the number of children involved. The aim is to balance the financial responsibilities so that the child's needs are met in both homes.

It's important to understand that South Carolina courts use a specific formula to determine child support amounts, taking into account variables such as child care expenses, health insurance costs, and any special needs of the child. Adjustments can be requested if there are significant changes in income or living arrangements, but this requires a formal modification request through the court. At Blood Law, PLLC, we guide you through this process, assisting you in understanding your rights and obligations to ensure your child's best interests are always prioritized.

Navigating Alimony in Divorce Cases with a Divorce Lawyer Fort Mill

Alimony is often a significant concern in divorce proceedings as it pertains to the financial maintenance of a spouse post-marriage. In South Carolina, alimony can be awarded in several forms, including permanent, temporary, or rehabilitative support. The type and amount of alimony depend on various factors, such as the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and each spouse's financial situation and contributions.

The courts also consider the age and health of both parties, the need for education or training for the dependent spouse, and any marital misconduct that might have contributed to the separation. Understanding these considerations is vital, as alimony can affect your financial future significantly. At Blood Law, PLLC, we provide comprehensive guidance to ensure you understand the potential outcomes and make informed decisions that align with your financial goals.

What Information and Documents Will My Divorce Lawyers Need?

A divorce will touch all aspects of your private and professional life. To prepare for the impacts of divorce, we advise you to hire our Fort Mill divorce attorneys to guide and represent you. Early on in your case, we will want to see a variety of documentation and evidence related to your assets and financial situation.

Different documentation we may ask that you bring to our divorce lawyers includes:

• Joint income tax returns
• Record for bank accounts, loans, credit cards, etc.
• Retirement or pension account information
• Investment account portfolios
• Real estate property or mortgage information
• Summary of valuables (art, jewelry, vehicles, etc.)
• Documents that prove joint business ownership
• And more

With such documentation in hand, we can get a full picture of what your life looked like when you were married, at least regarding your financial situation. This information is crucial when planning and arguing matters like alimony, child support, and property division.

Furthermore, please bring us any information related to any domestic violence cases or charges against your spouse if any exist. Certain decisions of the court could be influenced by knowledge of a spouse’s history of aggression, so it is worth bringing to the attention of our legal team. We will keep your case under the strictest client confidentiality requirements.

Get Our Experienced Help with Your Divorce Attorney Fort Mill

No matter why you want to get a divorce or how you want to react to divorce papers that were served to you, Blood Law, PLLC can help you make sense of everything. We will be happy to lend our many years of legal experience to your case. Divorce is certainly a difficult process, but we are sure that it can be less stressful when you have our trusted and friendly Fort Mill lawyers leading the way.

Our holistic approach ensures that every aspect of your divorce is addressed with thoroughness and attention to detail. From financial disclosures to mediation, we handle every stage of your proceedings with the utmost care, allowing you to focus on your future with confidence.

For any questions about divorce and related processes in Fort Mill, call (803) 866-6030 or contact us online now.