Criminal Defense, Family
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 […]
Adoption can be a rewarding experience for any parent, and even more so when the child has special needs. A special needs child is one that requires additional attention or has specific care demands that other children do not. These children may have chronic or terminal medical conditions, psychiatric or cognitive issues or physical impairments […]
A divorce is an extremely emotional situation, and going to court to resolve issues such as the division of property and determining which parent gets custody of the children can increase the acrimony. Court proceedings often require the parties to engage in a bitter, public conflict that can have long-term psychological effects on themselves as […]
As of 2014, it’s legal for gay and lesbian couples to marry in South Carolina. Of course, as with unions involving heterosexual individuals, there’s no guarantee that a same-sex marriage will last. Consequently, it’s possible to obtain a same-sex divorce in South Carolina. Generally, the divorce laws are the same for same-sex couples as they […]
In many cases, the bond between a stepparent and stepchild is as strong as the one between a natural parent and child. Unfortunately, the law has a different view of the relationship. If a marriage between stepparents fails, a non-biological parent may not always have the same rights regarding visitation and custody as a biological […]
Grandparents often have a hand in the raising of their grandchildren. The law recognizes the role of grandparents — although their rights are secondary to those of the child’s parents, situations can arise where the courts in South Carolina may intervene to allow the grandparents to visit or take custody of their grandchildren. The law […]
Prenuptial agreements are relatively common in marriages where one of the parties earns a substantial income or owns valuable assets. A “prenup” is a legal agreement that couples execute before they marry to determine the division and ownership of their assets in the event of a divorce. Wealthy spouses may request a prenup to protect […]
Deciding to adopt a child is a significant decision for any family. Regardless of the reason for desiring adoption — wanting to expand your family, give a child a good home or just because you want to — the adoption process can be complicated, uncertain and at times quite lengthy. A family that wants to […]
Domestic violence is all too prevalent in today’s society, and its victims often need immediate help to stay safe. A Protection From Abuse order is a legal remedy that can provide relief by prohibiting the offender from abusing, stalking, harassing or threatening the victim. It’s possible to get a PFA order issued quickly in an […]
When two parties are involved in a legal matter such as a divorce, personal injury claim or business dispute, they may prefer to resolve the issue without going to court. A process known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can offer an alternative to pursuing time-consuming and costly litigation. In South Carolina, all civil cases must […]
