Top 5 Reasons Families End Up in Court

Many families can settle their differences without seeking outside help. But when a dispute escalates, it can reach the point where the legal system must resolve the issue. In some situations, processes such as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can facilitate an agreement between the parties. If this remedy fails, there may be no choice but to take the matter to court.

The most common situations where families go to court are:

1. Divorce

While most couples enter into a marriage believing it will last a lifetime, this isn’t always the case. Couples who are unable to resolve their differences may have no choice but to seek a divorce. A divorce raises issues such as alimony, child custody and the division of property and debts. If the partners can’t reach an agreement on these matters through ADR processes such as negotiation, mediation or arbitration, the family court system must determine the outcome.

2. Physical Abuse and PFAs

Victims of domestic violence committed by a household member (in South Carolina, this encompasses a spouse or former spouse, people who have children in common, and males and females who are cohabitating or have done so in the past) may need to pursue a protection from abuse (PFA) order through the family court to keep them safe. Depending on the circumstances, a PFA can order the offenders to stop abusing the victim, leave the household, stay away from the victim, or surrender any weapons and ammunition in their possession.

3. Monetary Issues

Families can face a wide range of financial disputes that the family court system must resolve. One of the most common situations is when an ex-spouse falls behind on child support payments. In South Carolina, a child support calculator determines the amount that one spouse must pay to the other. However, spouses can ask the court to modify the amount due to a change in circumstances.

4. Violations of Child Custody Arrangements

While the divorce process typically determines how much time children spend living with each parent, some parents may violate the family court orders. They may attempt to keep a child away from their ex-partner or, in some situations, relocate with the child without informing the other parent of their whereabouts. In these circumstances, a parent can seek a remedy through the family court.

5. Child Neglect or Abuse

When parents do not care for their children properly or cause them physical harm, the family court may need to intervene. In some cases, the court may take actions such as ordering the removal of a child from an abusive household or granting custodial rights to a grandparent.

Lauren Taylor Law Can Represent You in Family Court in Greenville, SC

If you’re in the Greenville, SC, area and are facing a family court issue, Lauren Taylor Law can help. Attorney Taylor has extensive experience in handling all types of family court matters — and she will provide the expert representation you deserve. Contact our firm to learn more.