If there's one thing that most people can agree on, it's that every family is different. We all have challenges and changes that we must go through. Sometimes, those changes are joyful, like the birth of a new baby. Other times, those changes involve loss, uncertainty, and ultimately end with divorce.
There's no doubt that divorces are unpleasant. Sometimes, they're unavoidable. According to recent statistics, there were 2.4 divorces per every thousand residents in South Carolina. If you're one of the many people suffering through the pain of a divorce, dealing with a custody issue, or trying to juggle a family-related legal problem, you're not alone. At Lauren Taylor Law, many of our family law clients have major questions about what lies ahead. Their uncertainty often leaves them extra stressed and over-worried. They have concerns about their marriage, their kids, or both. After being served confusing papers from their spouse, they're wrestling with the anxiety of the unknown.
If that sounds all too familiar, a divorce attorney in Duncan, SC, can help, whether you need a seasoned advocate in the courtroom or an unbiased moderator behind closed doors. Unsure whether a divorce attorney is truly necessary at this stage? Ask yourself these questions:
If the answer to any of those questions was "yes," Lauren Taylor Law is here to stand by your side during one of the most difficult times in your life. Our law firm in several areas of family law, including:
There are few events in your life more infuriating and traumatic than a divorce. If you're like most, it feels like you're on an emotional roller coaster with life-changing legal and family consequences around every turn. During this difficult time, it's crucial to have a divorce attorney in Duncan, SC, on your side. That way, you can overcome the hurdles of divorce, achieve the outcome you need, and move on with your life.
Whether you're the one seeking out a divorce or it's your spouse's choice, making the decision isn't ever easy. After all, divorce is painful. When you took your wedding vows, you expected a life with your partner until death separated you. You spent untold amounts of money on a beautiful wedding, caterers, musicians, and more. You invited your high school friends from South Carolina and spent time together with out-of-towners who flew in, especially for you.
Unfortunately, reality is starting to set in: You won't be married to the person who once told you, "I do." Truth be told, getting a divorce is a heartbreaking turn of events. But now, more than ever, it's important to retain experienced legal counsel to oversee your divorce proceedings. Having helped many clients through the process of divorce, we know you may think that everything is falling apart around you. But as successful divorce lawyers in South Carolina, we have the proverbial tools to help you pick up the pieces and start fresh.
During your first divorce consultation at our offices, our primary goal is to hear your story. We simply want to listen. We want to understand your desires, fears, needs, and questions about divorce. Once we've had the opportunity to understand your needs, we will continue to ask pertinent questions. Why? Because listening and understanding the nuances of your story helps us do the very best job possible. After all, as your divorce attorney in Duncan, SC, your best interests are our primary concern.
At Lauren Taylor Law, we find providing a personalized approach helps us better serve our clients. Unlike other divorce lawyers, we don't believe in "cookie-cutter" or "one-size-fits-all" solutions. Your divorce is unique, and your lawyer's strategy should be, too. Our team will help by:
By advocating for you during your divorce, Lauren Taylor Law will help you make the first steps toward reclaiming your life and securing your future.
It's safe to say that nobody goes into a marriage expecting to get a divorce. But for many couples, divorce proves to be in their family's best interest. Before you go through with such a serious choice, it's prudent to ensure that you and your spouse agree that divorce is best. Sometimes, therapy or marriage counseling can save marriages. That's especially important if you have kids with your spouse.
If you have made efforts to salvage your marriage and have concluded that divorce is the only option, our team of passionate divorce lawyers is here to help. Divorces are complicated and often contentious, but in South Carolina, getting a divorce is different than in other states.
For example, in other areas of the United States, judges are obligated to split marital assets equally between spouses. However, South Carolina is not classified as a community property state. The judge in your divorce case could award your husband or wife a larger portion of the marital property you once shared. That scenario is even more likely if the judge decides you were the ultimate cause of the divorce.
Similarly, divorce judges in South Carolina have a higher chance of making you pay more substantial alimony payments for longer periods of time when compared to other states. To make matters even more complicated, divorce laws and tax consequences in South Carolina change often. Additionally, our state does not recognize the concept of "irreconcilable differences," meaning you cannot use it as a reason to divorce your spouse (or vice versa).
In order to get a divorce in the state of South Carolina, a person must have legal grounds to do so. As such, you have two options:
Many couples opt for a no-fault divorce, but in order to qualify, you and your spouse must prove that you haven't been living together for at least a year. Choosing this option is popular because it often helps couples avoid getting in a fight when one spouse blames the other for the marriage breakup.
Apart from one year of continuous separation, which is grounds for a no-fault divorce, the legal grounds for divorce in South Carolina include:
Each fault-based reason listed above can play a part in the outcome of your divorce case, including decisions on child custody, alimony, division of debts, and division of marital property. When you account for the unique nature of divorces in Duncan and the rest of the state, foregoing a divorce attorney is a poor decision.
It's possible to get divorced in South Carolina without needing a lawyer. However, we've encountered situations where clients come to Lauren Taylor Law because they tried the process on their own with no success. When it comes to divorces in South Carolina, there are many procedural requirements to meet.
Your paperwork must be correct across the board. For instance, you and your spouse must both file accurate financial declarations in family court. If you've come up with a divorce agreement, the family court must still decide whether it's equitable and fair for your spouse and in the best interests of your kids.
If you choose to try and get a divorce in South Carolina on your own, we strongly recommend that you schedule a consultation at the very least. That way, you know your rights and have a minimum understanding of the divorce process in South Carolina.
Some of the most common benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer include:
Child custody cases present unique challenges for you, your spouse, and your family law attorney. They are almost all resolved through mediation or settlement conferences.
Unfortunately, when two parents have disagreements about child custody, calm discussions often devolve into quarrels and contentious disputes. If you and your spouse do not agree about visitation and custody rights for your child or children, a divorce judge will make those tough decisions for you. In this circumstance, child custody is determined by what the judge deems as the best interests of your children.
Fortunately, contrary to urban myth, divorce laws in South Carolina do not favor mothers of fathers or vice versa when it comes to child visitation and custody. There is also no "standard" schedule presented for child visitation. Factors that your divorce judge will pay close attention to include:
At the end of the day, children have the right to love each parent freely. However, protecting children during a custody battle is crucial. At Lauren Taylor Law, our team works closely with you, your children's Guardian Ad Litem (who represents the children in the legal case), their school teachers, and any third party working with your children. Advocacy for the best interest of your children requires deep understanding, legal skills, and years of relevant experience. With the Lauren Taylor Team in Duncan, SC, you can rest easy knowing your child's future is of utmost importance.
If you're getting a divorce, and you have a child or children with your former spouse, there's a good chance you're worried about how much child support you'll have to pay. You may be wondering, "How is child support in South Carolina determined?"
The amount of child support you must pay is dictated by the child support guidelines in South Carolina. These guidelines not only calculate temporary child support but permanent support as well. These guidelines are applied to any case where the parent's gross combined income is less than $15,000 a month. According to the law, child support amounts are calculated with these factors in mind:
Without a divorce attorney in Duncan, SC, navigating the turbulent waters of child support is nearly impossible. With years of experience, we have the tools and resources to protect your rights and guide you through the child support process. To get a rough estimate of how much child support you will need to pay in your divorce, contact Lauren Taylor Law today.
Alimony is financial support that you must pay to your former spouse. In South Carolina, there are different types of alimony. Permanent, periodic alimony is paid on a set schedule over time. However, alimony terminates when you or your spouse dies or when a receiving spouse begins to cohabitate with another person or chooses to remarry. Alimony in South Carolina can be modified based on a showing of a substantial change in circumstances.
In some cases, spouses choose to pay a lump sum alimony. The amount is agreed upon by both parties. This can usually be paid all at once or in a schedule of payments. It should be noted that spousal support may be ordered, pending your final divorce.
South Carolina law requires Family Law Courts to consider a number of factors in making a ruling on an alimony request. Those factors include:
To learn more about laws and factors regarding alimony in South Carolina, call or click to speak with someone who can help at no obligation to you.
There's no way around it - divorce is an unpleasant and sometimes unavoidable part of being an adult. As you consider taking this major step, you must consult with a seasoned divorce lawyer who knows the intricacies and challenges of divorce law in South Carolina. If you have given the subject plenty of thought and diligence and decided that divorce is your best option, the time to act is now. Contact Lauren Taylor Law today so that you can proceed with confidence tomorrow.
Opening Statement“I want to congratulate the players today. It was such an important victory against a very good rival. Also, to our fans who supported us the whole time. In those last 10 minutes, I felt the push that our crowd had on the players. They are a part of our games that much. I also want to congratulate Martín [Ojeda] on the contribution he has made with his goals for this franchise, how important he has been for the Club and how important he has been this year. Regarding the game, it was a very compet...
Opening Statement
“I want to congratulate the players today. It was such an important victory against a very good rival. Also, to our fans who supported us the whole time. In those last 10 minutes, I felt the push that our crowd had on the players. They are a part of our games that much. I also want to congratulate Martín [Ojeda] on the contribution he has made with his goals for this franchise, how important he has been for the Club and how important he has been this year. Regarding the game, it was a very competitive game from the first minute. I thought we started with a sense of the playoffs for all of us. We will keep pushing. There were a bunch of things that happened in the game that we want to happen again. I saw them, the boys felt them and just going again in that direction will help us the rest of the regular season.”
On his message heading into the second half
“It was hard to concede that first goal because we had the game so controlled. Also, we had a very clear play to put the game at 3-0. But then we walk back out to the field and it’s now 2-1, with added stress and tightness. In those moments, we have to be better. We need to be solid and compete on the defensive side as well, not just scoring. We have to close the game in those moments. But also, after the rest, we came out, and I have to give credit to Nashville, because that goal that made it 2-2 was a good moment for them. But the team was steady. We were looking for our chances. We knew we needed to defend them, as well. The guys who came off the bench helped us, brought energy and created a very difficult play for someone like [Tyrese] Spicer. He has that left of the goal and Duncan [McGuire] who attacks the box with such energy. Again, not just that goal, but that tool we can use from now on.”
On Martín Ojeda’s impact on the team and Club
“Well, first, we share with him every single day how he is a tremendous human being who has landed here in Orlando. His professionalism is an example for everyone. The patience he had to adapt to the league, always just pushing, and now becoming the player that I know he wants to be. Now, his data just tells us how important Martín [Ojeda] has been. So, nothing but congratulations and appreciation from all the players, coaches and the community. We really value what he does for the Club.”
Opening Statement
“Obviously, it was a tough game. We went up early, but Nashville is a good team and battled back. They didn’t make it easy for us. I feel like we had some struggles in the second half with the shaping of their buildout. They did a good job holding possession against us. But in the end, it was a good team win, and I’m glad we got the job done.”
On the game-winning goal and Tyrese Spicer’s assist
“Twenty seconds before the goal, there was a stop in play. [Tyrese] Spicer told me to go first post. It was great communication from him. He’s a quality player, and when he gets the ball on the wing, I have a pretty good feeling he’s going to beat the guy. So, we took a gamble, and he played a great ball.”
On the impact of the win
“Obviously, Nashville is a team that is ahead of us. It was a huge team win. We’ve thought about it this week, that basically each game is a playoff game. With that mentality, and with how late we are in the season, we came out right and we jumped on them.”
Opening Statement
“I’m very happy with the result tonight and very happy for the two goals I was able to convert. Those goals helped us win tonight, so I’m just very happy with the result. My thoughts are positive as always, and I’m just very happy to be a part of this group.”
On setting the Club record for goal contributions
“It’s truly beautiful to come here and achieve that, and to see the evolution across my time here. For me, my work is just to continue adding my little bit to the team to help the team accomplish its goals. Whether that’s running, scoring, passing or defending, what I always try to do is give my little bit. I’m super thankful for all my teammates who do the same, who help me get better and help the group get better to compete for the ultimate goal, which is to win championships. My mentality hasn’t changed. That’s the goal at the end of the day: to win trophies, to bring a championship here and to be crowned at the end of the season.”
On the fans chanting “MVP” for him tonight
“It’s really just thankfulness. Thankful for the Club, for all the people who work in the Club—the staff, my teammates, the technical staff and the coaches—and especially the fans who come to the stands every game and enjoy the game with us. My job is to push this Club and try to push it higher, to be more successful. But it’s also to give the fans happiness and something to celebrate when they come to enjoy the games. When I score a goal or assist a goal, when I get to celebrate, I look up to the stands, to my wife and my son. I see them jumping with joy. I look up to my teammates in the booth who weren’t selected to join us in this game. I look at my teammates on the bench, and the staff and technical staff celebrating over on the sideline. It’s a moment of internal joy that I get to share. And I’ll repeat that my job is to keep getting better, to keep pushing this club toward our goal of winning trophies. Whether I win an individual award or not, my job is to push this club and celebrate at the end of the year.”